Curling bosses are “bitterly disappointed” by the decision to not include an ice rink facility in plans for a new Perth leisure centre.
Councillors voted on Wednesday to build a new complex at Thimblerow car park but the proposal doesn’t include any ice provision.
Instead it was suggested council officers work with the curling community to make “a success” of Dewars Centre.
World champion David Hay says the decision leaves curling in Perth facing an uncertain future.
Perth Curling Club 1988 and Scottish Curling had campaigned to be included in the new complex or at least be situated on the same site.
In the end, they got neither.
‘Left in an uncertain position’
Mr Hay said: “I’m bitterly disappointed in today’s vote regards the future of ice facilities not being included in the PH2O plans going forward.
“We are now left in an uncertain position, waiting to negotiate the future of Dewars ice rink.
“However, I’m heartened that Councillor Laing has committed the full support of Perth and Kinross Council to the transition of Dewars ice rink to the ice sports community over the next five years to protect ice in Perth for the long term future.”
Mr Hay attended Wednesday’s meeting with young curlers, who spoke of their own ambitions and dreams that had been made possible by Dewars.
He had called retaining Dewars the “worst case scenario” and was worried curlers were being handed “a poisoned chalice” where they could end up footing the bill for multi-million-pound refurbishments.
When councillors questioned him on the viability of the curlers taking on Dewars, he said nothing had been presented in writing and he hadn’t been given any figures to work with.
Curlers disagree with council on numbers
Arguments over the business case for an ice rink to be included in PH2O once again highlighted the huge disparity between council figures and the curling group’s usage numbers.
Consultants for the council say they got their data sets from Live Active Leisure whereas the curlers took theirs from Dewars.
“We fundamentally disagreed with the curling information provided by Perth and Kinross Council and Integratis (Consulting) regards ice usage at Dewars in the report,” said Mr Hay.
The club chairman also talked up the benefits of hosting both an ice rink and leisure water on the same site.
Scottish Curling brought flow world expert Art Sutherland over from Canada to write up a report on the savings created by a heat exchange system between the facilities.
“We desperately want ice facilities within the new PH2O on the same site to allow swimming and ice facilities to share the excess heat through heat exchange units,” said Mr Hay.
“Use all modern energy systems, solar, ground source and air source systems, to be as environmentally friendly and economic as possible.”
‘I hope the council will follow through’
In putting forward his proposal to keep ice as a separate facility, council leader Grant Laing says he will “ensure” council officers work “hand in glove” with the curling community to make a success of Dewars.
Scottish Curling CEO, Vincent Bryson, says he hopes the local authority will follow through on its promises.
“I was pleased to hear Perth and Kinross Council will support development of a new model to run Dewars,” said Mr Bryson.
“I hope the council will follow through with supporting the curling community, as promised, to achieve this with financial support immediately.”
‘This is a shocking decision’
Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser called the decision an “utter disgrace”.
“To have no ice rink in what is ‘the home of curling,’ or leisure pool facilities such as flumes is totally ridiculous. This is one of the main reasons that people come into Perth,” the Scottish Tory leader candidate.
“The loss of these vital sporting facilities will not only have an impact on the curling community and local swimming clubs, but also on the Perth economy.
“It is a move that will have massive repercussions.
“There is bound to be outrage at this decision – it is an utter disgrace.”
Fellow Conservative MSP, Liz Smith, added: “This is a shocking decision which will rightly be met with much concern and anger from across many groups.
“In particular, the curling community will be aghast at this plan not to include an ice rink and proper leisure pool facilities in the new plan.
“Perth is known globally for its association with curling – to take that away is just breathtaking.”
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