The future of curling in Kinross has been secured.
Thanks to the dedication of members, local clubs and individuals, the town’s rink will soon undergo vital repairs. Curlers had faced a frantic race against time to raise enough money to keep the venue open.
Although the facility is used by more than 1,000 people each year, Kinross Curling Trust (KCT) had struggled to attract funding for improvements, with applications for grants from various organisations declined.
At least £800,000 is needed to bring the rink up to standard, including the replacement of refrigeration equipment, which will be outlawed at the end of the year when new European Union legislation takes effect.
Thanks to the dedication of members, local clubs and individuals, around £350,000 had been secured along with a £125,000 grant from Perth and Kinross Council.
Now, sportscotland has announced it will provide funding worth £400,000 to ensure the rink can remain open. Blair Melville, KCT chairman, welcomed the announcement.
He said: “This, together with the grant from Perth and Kinross Council, grants from other organisations and funds raised by curlers and curling clubs, means that the sport of curling is secure in Kinross for the foreseeable future.
“It was absolutely crucial that this project proceeded this year to capitalise on the upsurge in interest from the Olympics, and now future generations of curlers will have a quality facility in Kinross.”
Mr Melville paid tribute to the local curlers and clubs who backed their bid.
“Money is always tight for community sports projects, but this shows just what communities can do to help themselves if the public bodies stand alongside them.”
Work will begin in the summer to install an insulated cladding system, a plant and ice pad, an electricity substation, improved dehumidification heating and lighting and a low-emission ceiling.
The refurbishment is expected to be completed in time for the start of the new playing season in September.
The chief executive of sportscotland, Stewart Harris, said the funding boost was vital.
He said: “Following the three medals from our Olympic and Paralympic curling teams at the recent Games in Sochi, there is significant interest in curling and it is absolutely right that we capitalise on that interest to grow the game in Scotland.
“The Kinross Curling Trust put together a strong business case for investment from sportscotland, with community engagement at the heart of that bid, so we were delighted to make this award of £400,000.
“On behalf of sport-scotland, I wish the trust and the local community every success with the project and look forward to seeing the refurbished facility welcoming its first curlers on to the ice later this year.”
KCT has been working since 2009 towards a new or improved curling facility in the town. The trust took over the rink at the Green Hotel after its owners, the Montgomery Hotel Group, refused to invest in the facility.
They did, however, offer a 50-year lease to the curlers at a base rent of just £100 per annum and donated curling stones worth around £20,000.