Olympian backs calls to save Ayr Ice Rink as closure looms due to 'uprecedented' costs

The rink has hosted Olympic medallists to give masterclasses to local young skaters

An Olympian ice dancer has backed calls to save the Scottish ice rink where he learned to skate.

Lewis Gibson, who started skating lessons at the rink in Ayr after watching Dancing on Ice as an 11-year-old and is now ranked among the top ice dancers in the world, said he was “devastated” to hear the decision.

The rink, which also hosts a number of local curling clubs, announced it would close later this year, citing an “unprecedented rise" in energy costs. The facility’s owners said they had “no alternative” but to close the venue, which has operated on the site since 1972, after the average cost of daily electricity rose from £419 to £880.

Lewis Gibson, who learned to skate at Ayr Ice Rink, with partner Lilah Fear at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Picture: Getty Images

Mr Gibson, who won a silver medal at the European Figure Skating Championships this year with partner Lilah Fear and competed in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, said: “I’m absolutely devastated to hear of the unclear future of Ayr Ice Rink. This is where my dreams began and many others too. It is a rink that has been host to many Olympic athletes and skating and curling enthusiasts too.

"I really hope something can be done to turn around the rink’s future.”

A petition launched by rink users to save the facility has already generated almost 3,500 signatures.

Savannah Cuff, who started the petition, said: “There is a vast age range of people who attend these well-established clubs from all different backgrounds, but all with one thing in common – ice sports.

"The potential closure of Ayr Ice Rink could have a devastating impact on South Ayrshire’s children and adults. We will see reduced physical activity, socialisation, mental stimulation alongside the loss of a safe, friendly and welcoming space for many.”

Ms Cuff called for a “joint collaborative approach” from all users of the rink to save it.

In 2019, the rink hosted Olympic gold medallists Guillaume Cizeron and Gabriella Papadakis, from France, who, alongside Mr Gibson, hosted a masterclass for promising local figure skaters.

Liz Goldie, chair of Ayr Curling Club, said: "On a normal year we aim to just break even and, therefore, this increase in our biggest operating cost means that we would have to generate more than £150,000 in additional income just to cover our energy costs, never mind wage increases and inflationary increases on all the other expenses of running an ice rink.

"It simply cannot be done and so, with our expenditure going to exceed our income by circa £75,000 in the current financial year and double that every year thereafter, we have no alternative other than to cease trading and to seek Members Voluntary Liquidation."

The Scottish Curling Board has formed a working group to examine options to support Ayr Ice Rink, as well as other rinks under threat of succumbing to economic and other outside pressures.

Ms Goldie said “warm words” from MSPs, MPs, Scottish Curling, the Scottish Ice Rinks Association, sportscotland and South Ayrshire councillors “do not convert into the hard cash required to meet the deficit”. She admitted talks with South Ayrshire Council over the possibility of a new-build rink in the town had broken down.