Councillors could be about to write off a £50,000 debt owed by Dundee Ice Arena amid fears for the future of the facility, the Courier has learned.
The 2,300-seat rink in Camperdown is owned by Dundee City Council and receives a £250,000 annual subsidy from taxpayers.
The business also avoids rates because the trust that runs it was awarded charitable status for promoting “the advancement of health and public participation in sport”.
Council officials were expected to file accounts for 2011/12 with Companies House and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) before December 31 last year but the deadline was not met and both bodies have written to Dundee Ice Arena to demand the paperwork is released.
The ice arena board could face removal from the charity register, financial penalties and even prosecution action if the documents are not provided.
Councillors will meet in secret on Monday to discuss the crisis and The Courier understands they will be asked to write off a huge debt.
A council source said: “They’re going to write off debt to the council in excess of £50,000 to make it look like a going concern before accounts are submitted.
“The ice arena has had difficulties in the last year so they’re looking at this as a way to alleviate the financial problems.”
The arena is home to Dundee CCS Stars and its co-owner and co-director Charlie Ward said: “If the rink closed, it would be a major disaster for the area.”
A council spokesman said: “The board of Dundee Ice Arena has kept Companies House and OSCR informed of the delay in filing the accounts. It is anticipated that these will be finalised and submitted within the next two months.”
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