Scottish Curling - in partnership with Glasgow Ice Centre - have launched an offer to buy Ayr Ice Rink in a bid to save ice sports in South Ayrshire.

The proposal sets out plans to keep the current rink at Limekiln Road open and functional for approximately five years while a new facility is built.

Curling, hockey and skating would all continue to have a home, and the rink would be open to the community. 

Scottish Curling CEO Vincent Bryson said: "We’ve had extensive conversations with a variety of agencies over the past weeks and indeed months.

"We believe this collaboration with Glasgow Ice Centre, who are already a registered charity, is our best bid to keep Ayr Ice Rink open for the next few years and keep ice sports activities going."

Glasgow Ice Centre was founded as a charity in 2020 with the objective of seeking to improve the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of the population by introducing a wide range of leisure activities and ice rink sports, such as curling, hockey, and skating. 

Alan Hannah, a current Scottish Curling director and high-performance curling coach with a wealth of experience across the sport, chairs the Glasgow Ice Centre trustees. 

"We are excited about the possibility of retaining ice sports in Ayrshire," he said.

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"Whilst our name contains the word “Glasgow”, our charity was formed to act in the best interest of all ice sports nationwide.

"By making an offer for Ayr Ice Rink we are acting within the remit of our charitable aims, and I hope the offer is welcomed by the rink’s shareholders."

Alex Strachan, chair of the Ayr Bruins Junior Ice Hockey Club, who has been campaigning to save the rink, said: “I am delighted that Glasgow Ice Centre have offered to help in our mission to stop the closure of Ayr Ice Rink and maintain the future of all Ice Sports in Ayrshire.

"There’s now a real drive from the local ice hockey, curling and skating communities to ensure that everyone can have access to the facility.

"It’ll make a massive difference to the 350 young people in the Ayr Bruins Junior Club who consider the ice rink a second home and safe haven.”

He added: “The intention and way forward is a viable and sound plan which will bring a new lease of life not only to the Ice Rink but the local community as a whole.“