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Scots ice rinks close to meltdown | Scots ice rinks close to meltdown |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The majority of Scotland's remaining ice rinks are struggling to survive, a BBC Scotland survey has discovered. | The majority of Scotland's remaining ice rinks are struggling to survive, a BBC Scotland survey has discovered. |
Some of the country's biggest rinks have already shut down and there are fears that new EU regulations could put many more out of business. | Some of the country's biggest rinks have already shut down and there are fears that new EU regulations could put many more out of business. |
Ice rinks in Aberdeen, Paisley and Prestwick have already been forced to close their doors. | Ice rinks in Aberdeen, Paisley and Prestwick have already been forced to close their doors. |
Bosses at the Magnum Leisure Centre in Ayrshire fear it may be the next rink to go. | Bosses at the Magnum Leisure Centre in Ayrshire fear it may be the next rink to go. |
Aberdeen's ice rink is due to reopen in 18 months' time but campaigners fear a recent cash crisis at Aberdeen City Council could see it stay closed for good. | |
One ice rink operator told BBC Scotland they were "hanging on by a thread" and rinks across Scotland were facing similar financial problems. | One ice rink operator told BBC Scotland they were "hanging on by a thread" and rinks across Scotland were facing similar financial problems. |
Many of the local authorities and private owners contacted by BBC Scotland said they were struggling to meet soaring maintenance and operating costs. | Many of the local authorities and private owners contacted by BBC Scotland said they were struggling to meet soaring maintenance and operating costs. |
Electricity bills are said to have increased by almost two thirds over the last two years. | Electricity bills are said to have increased by almost two thirds over the last two years. |
We have Glasgow with no ice rink - there's no city in Europe, probably in the western world, of that size or even half that size which doesn't have an ice rink Archie MarshallSkate Scotland | |
New regulations from the EU will soon force ice rinks to change the type of refrigerant they use. | New regulations from the EU will soon force ice rinks to change the type of refrigerant they use. |
David Carey, chairman of the Scottish Ice Rinks Association, claimed the resulting bills would push more rinks into the red. | David Carey, chairman of the Scottish Ice Rinks Association, claimed the resulting bills would push more rinks into the red. |
He added: "They will have to replace all of their refrigeration plant. Ice rinks don't make a lot of money and with the recent costs of electricity and water, they will go into a loss situation. Everyone knows exactly what that means - they will close." | He added: "They will have to replace all of their refrigeration plant. Ice rinks don't make a lot of money and with the recent costs of electricity and water, they will go into a loss situation. Everyone knows exactly what that means - they will close." |
Archie Marshall, of Skate Scotland, which represents the country's figure and speed skaters, said the country is in danger of falling further behind the rest of the UK and Europe. | Archie Marshall, of Skate Scotland, which represents the country's figure and speed skaters, said the country is in danger of falling further behind the rest of the UK and Europe. |
He said there was no shortage of sporting talent in Scotland but competitors were already struggling to train due to a chronic lack of facilities. | He said there was no shortage of sporting talent in Scotland but competitors were already struggling to train due to a chronic lack of facilities. |
Mr Marshall added: "We have Glasgow with no ice rink. There's no city in Europe, probably in the western world, of that size, or even half that size, which doesn't have an ice rink. | Mr Marshall added: "We have Glasgow with no ice rink. There's no city in Europe, probably in the western world, of that size, or even half that size, which doesn't have an ice rink. |
"You go across the world to Australia, obviously it's a great sporting country, Sydney and Melbourne have got multiple ice rinks in them. | "You go across the world to Australia, obviously it's a great sporting country, Sydney and Melbourne have got multiple ice rinks in them. |
"Glasgow doesn't have one, Paisley is now closed, Aberdeen may lose its ice rink. I think that tells you the whole story in Scotland." | "Glasgow doesn't have one, Paisley is now closed, Aberdeen may lose its ice rink. I think that tells you the whole story in Scotland." |
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