Newspaper indicates closure of Ayr Ice Rink - April 24th 2008
There is concern that Ayrshire's ice rinks could be left out in the cold
when a new EU regulation about the gas used to maintain temperatures
takes hold.
The new directive, to be published next year, means that all ice rinks
will have to stop using a gas known as refringerant 22 - or R22 -
to keep ice frozen, meaning many ice rinks will have to replace their
equipment at five figure costs.
The vast majority (88 per cent) of Scottish ice rinks currently use R22
but production of the gas will bephased out by January 2010 in an
effort to combat the negative effects it is believed to have on Earth's
ozone layer. Ammonia gas is the preferred alternative to R22.
And bosses at Ayrshire's ice rinks told the Extra newspaper this week
that they are concerned that the change in the rules could see them
in financial meltdown. Andy Piper, ice manager at Ayr's ice rink in
Limekiln Road, said: "It'll certainly be a financial challenge
for us, and I think that a lot of ice rinks will probably close.
You're talking about a minimum cost of around £180,000 for the new
refringeration plant we will need to make the switch. It's a very
big step and I would like to see some funding made available to help
us meet the cost."
David Carey is the manager at the Galleon Leisure Centre's ice rink in Kilmarnock
and chairman of the Scottish Ice Rink Association. He told the Extra:
"It's going to cost us around half a million to replace our 21-year
old plant that runs on R22, as we can't change it to use other gases.
Add that to the rising costs of water, gas and electricity and we
are without doubt looking at tough times ahead for ice rinks all over
the country."
A spokesperson for government body SportScotland said: "We are
aware of the new regulations from the EU which will be a major issue
for many rinks in Scotland. Our mission is to enhance all sports facilities
across Scotland and we continue to work with our partners in the provision
of quality sports facilities."
story
by Iain Hunter
