Elgin's ice rink to permanently shut amid 'spiralling energy costs'

A town is to lose its ice rink after “spiralling energy costs” made it “no longer financially viable”, according to the operator.

On Monday, Moray Leisure Centre in Elgin announced the “difficult decision” to close the facility in just a few weeks’ time.

The Centre’s board said the ice rink generates the “least amount of income and consumes the most energy” and the cost of running it had doubled.

Elgin Ice Rink will shut permanently on Monday, August 4.

“With skaters and curlers accounting for less than 10% of all users of Moray Leisure Centre, the cost of running the Ice Rink now threatens the financial sustainability of the whole leisure centre if action is not taken swiftly,” a statement read.

A “small” number of roles are at risk of redundancy as a result of the closure.

“Despite our best efforts to secure a future for the ice rink, Moray Leisure Centre’s overall operation has effectively subsidised the ice rink’s operation for the past six years and rising energy bills means this has now reached a level where it is unaffordable,” a spokesperson for the Moray Leisure Centre said.

“We know that the closure of the ice rink will be very disappointing for those who use the facility and for the coaches and clubs who depend upon it.

The not-for-profit said the board’s priority was to establish “long-term financial security” with the opportunity to “thrive and reinvest in better facilities for the community”.

“These decisions are never easy, but they are necessary, and we are continuing to work closely with a range of community partners,” a spokesperson said.

Moray council leader Kathleen Robertson said the local authority is aware of the decision to close the ice rink and appreciates that it will be “devastating” for clubs that use it regularly.

“While this is clearly a difficult decision for them, rising energy costs are being felt across all industries and in homes around the country, so it’s also an understandable measure to take to ensure financial viability for the rest of the facility,” councillor Robertson said.

“I appreciate this disappointing news will be devastating for the clubs who use the ice rink regularly and can confirm Moray Council will continue to work with the Board and management team to help identify and implement energy saving measures and facility efficiencies.”

Moray’s SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said the closure will come as a “huge blow” given the popularity of the facility with local families, clubs, and ice hockey team.

“Indeed, this morning I passed young people enjoying themselves as they skated on the ice when I was down at the Leisure Centre and now we have an announcement that it is to close,” he said.

Lochhead said he intends to meet Moray Leisure Centre’s management in the coming days and has written to the Scottish Government asking if anything can be done.

“I’m also seeking clarity from Moray Council on its response due to its significant interest in the centre and the fact that none of us will want to see Moray lose its only ice rink,” he said.

Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey SNP MP Graham Leadbitter urged the Council to explore “every means possible” of supporting Moray Leisure to avoid the permanent closure of the facility, which he said is much “loved and well used”.

“People in Moray should not have to travel long distances away to make use of facilities that have, until now, been available and well used on their doorstep,” Leadbitter said.