Elgin ice rink closure plans should be put on ice, demands Moray MSP Richard Lochhead
A plea for a stay of execution over the closure of a community ice rink has been made by a local MSP.
Shock greeted the sudden announcement earlier this week that the ice rink at Moray Leisure Centre (MLC) in Elgin would close on Monday, August 4, with “spiralling energy costs” blamed for the move.
As the deadline rushes closer, Moray SNP MSP Richard Lochhead has called for the controversial proposals to be put on ice until options to save the popular rink are examined.
Yesterday (Wednesday, July 23) saw Mr Lochhead meet with sportscotland’s Chief Executive Forbes Dunlop to discuss the situation, with the organisation making it clear they stand ready to come in to help assess the situation. He has also met with CEO of Scottish Curling Vincent Bryson to discuss the impact on local curling clubs.
The MSP is now calling on Moray Leisure Centre management to put the planned closure on hold to give sportscotland, and the local community the opportunity to explore ideas to bring down costs or increase revenue to save the facility.
Mr Lochhead said: “I had a helpful and insightful meeting with sportscotland’s Chief Executive to discuss Moray Leisure Centre’s plans to close the ice rink at the start of August, and it is absolutely clear they stand ready to come in to assess the situation and help identify potential solutions.
“Given that offer of assistance, we now need Moray Leisure Centre to give the rink a stay of execution and the closure date to be cancelled to allow people to come forward with ideas to reduce costs or to raise revenue.
“Since the news broke I’ve been inundated with messages from people in Moray and across Scotland offering constructive ideas and suggestions as to how the ice rink could be made financially more sustainable by cutting energy use, as well as people who are willing to fundraise to ensure the ice rink has a future.
“Everyone I have spoken to is scratching their heads wondering why there was a sudden announcement without proper warning.
“Moray Leisure Centre need to be absolutely transparent with its users and the community about the finances involved here and should set out exactly what work has been done to identify savings or how the ice rink could bring in more money.
“We can’t let down the many local people and groups that use the ice rink without making every effort to prevent closure.
“I would appeal to the Leisure Centre’s Board to have an emergency meeting as soon as possible to implement a stay of execution.”
His call was supported by SNP Elgin City North Councillor Jérèmie Fernandes who, along with colleague Councillor Shona Morrison (SNP, Fochabes-Lhanbryde) had earlier this week urged Moray Council to be recalled from its summer recess for an emergency meeting on the matter. This was refused by council leader Councillor Kathleen Robertson (Conservative, Forres) and the local authority’s CEO Karen Greaves on the grounds that more information needed to be obtained on the closure plans first.
He said: “I fully support Richard Lochhead’s call for a stay of execution on the decision to close the leisure centre ice rink.
“The announcement of the closure, and the incredibly short notice, caught everyone off guard.
“Since then, sportscotland has said they’re ready to step in and help, and I’ve been pushing for an emergency council meeting, which I still hope can go ahead if given a bit more time.
“The response from the community has been fantastic. Amid the justifiable anger and sadness, many have come forward with constructive ideas that the MLC Board should take seriously - including options like private sponsorship, reviewing the current fee structure, and installing solar panels to cut energy costs.
“I urge the board to pause this decision and give proper consideration to the offers of help and the proposals being put forward by rink users. The board needs to listen, not charge ahead stubbornly and shut the door on what could be a workable solution."
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSPs Tim Eagle and Douglas Ross have called for a cross-party approach to prevent the closure of the ice rink.
Mr Eagle met with Moray Leisure Centre on Wednesday afternoon in order to talk through the current situation that has led to the proposed closure of the ice rink and to put across the very serious concerns from users about the handling of the situation.
Highlands and Islands MSPs Tim Eagle and Douglas Ross have called for a cross-party approach to prevent the closure of Elgin's ice rink.
Mr Eagle met with Moray Leisure Centre on Wednesday afternoon in order to talk through the current situation that has led to the proposed closure of the ice rink and to put across the very serious concerns from users about the handling of the situation.
The centre has stated they face significant challenges with rising energy with the unit cost of electricity being charged to Moray Leisure Centre having reached unsustainable levels and have already submitted a complaint to their energy provider.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Eagle said: "First and foremost I fully support the users of the ice rink and am grateful for the contact I have had with many of the groups over the last couple of days.
"The challenge is to both find an immediate solution to stop the closure but also a long-term solution which will ensure the financial suitability of the ice rink and wider facility. As an ex-councillor myself I am aware that this goes well beyond the resources of Moray Council which, cash-strapped though it is, has over the years supported the centre to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds.
"I have spoken to the council leadership about the situation and am pleased they are seeking an urgent meeting with Moray Leisure Centre to see how they can help. One of those options is to help provide lower cost electricity.
"The immediate need appears to centre around the sudden uplift in electric costs being charged by the leisure centre's provider. I am keen to support their calls for the company to come to the table and find a solution and with that in mind I have written a letter to the company supporting Moray Leisure Centre and calling for an urgent meeting.
"However, for that to have the greatest impact I am keen that all of Moray's politicians come together to support it. I am aware that there has been some calls for an urgent council meeting but at this time, as the council seek information on how they can help, the very best thing we can all do is come together and work towards reducing the electricity cost for the facility. Whilst further plans will need to be put in place this alone will provide significant help."
Mr Ross stated that he believed the Scottish Government has a role in securing a viable future for the rink.
He continued: "The ice rink in Elgin is a vital facility which is crucial to securing a future for sports which Scotland excels in, such as curling, skating and ice hockey.
"People in Moray shouldn't have to travel huge distances to practice and compete, when we have a facility like this in Elgin. That is why it is imperative the rink stays open. This is about supporting the grass-roots without which the sports have no future.
"I believe that by working with MLC, and other colleagues, we stand a fighting chance of leveraging support - hopefully including from the Scottish Government which, surely, has a role here.
"This decision came as a bolt out of the blue, so we need time to look at alternative ways to keep the rink open. One option is addressing the huge energy bills and I urge everyone to get behind the letter as we seek to urgently address this issue."
A protest outside the leisure centre saw around 250 people of all ages turn up to voice their support for the ice rink.
A petition calling for the closure decision to be reversed has also been launched.