An MSP is this week aiming to broker talks in a bid to save Ayr Ice Rink from closure.
South Scotland Labour List MSP, Carol Mochan, has written to colleagues from the Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, and South Ayrshire Council, urging them to get round the table and work together to ensure the rink is saved.
The letter follows Ms Mochan’s meeting last week with Andrew Kerr, managing director of Ayrshire Curlers Ltd, the owners of the rink.
Last month the owners announced the closure of the rink at the end of September, blaming an “unprecedented increase” in energy costs due to come into effect from October 1.
The bombshell announcement was met with dismay, because it will effectively end Ayr’s association with ice sports stretching back several decades.
It will also result in nearly 1,000 users of the ice being left ‘homeless.’
They include some 40 curling clubs, with a total membership of around 550, along with two figure skating clubs and a junior ice hockey club- catering for around 350 youngsters every week.
A petition to save the ice rink has already been gaining traction with more than 11,000 signatures already.
Now Ms Mochan has stepped up the fight and issued a letter to Martin Dowey, Leader of South Ayrshire Council; Siobhian Brown MSP for Ayr; Allan Dorans MP, Member of Parliament for Ayr, Carrick, and Cumnock; and Maree Todd, MSP Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport.
In the letter, Ms Mochan urges colleagues from across the parties to ‘co-operatively push for the necessary steps to be taken to save this much loved and well used facility’
She said it is her intention to hold a virtual meeting to discuss a possible solution between club members, local representatives, and national agencies.
Ms Mochan said: “This is not an issue for political parties to divide on. With my letter I hope we can put our heads together and broker a solution to this crisis.
“We can all see the overwhelming support in Ayrshire for the ice rink to remain open. Eleven thousand people in Ayr and the surrounding areas have given their support to the petition. Many clubs have come forward with suggestions for saving the rink, which should be explored.
“However, the mantle falls to local representatives to make sure these plans don’t fall by the wayside.”
She added: “I am urging all my colleagues from across parties to think about what stands to be lost by our failure to co-operate here: a great facility which is used and loved by residents across Ayrshire and the launchpad to international success for talented young sportspeople in our area. We cannot stand apart on this.”
To sign the petition go to https://www.change.org/p/save-ayr-ice-rink
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