The Kinross Conundrum
Demand growing.
Ice occupancy – peak 95% off peak 80%
1000 curlers from 35 clubs use the facility.
140 novices attended “Come & Try” events this season: clear evidence of wider interest.
Healthy junior section.
No suitable times available to fulfil increased schools curling needs.
“More ice time please” headline to Eve Muirhead’s article in the Dundee Courier 6 January. This view is known to be shared by coaches of other elite teams.
State of current facility
Rain penetrates the roof of the ice hall- buckets overnight; lumps on the ice during opening hours.
Plant and pipework ancient, building and systems energy inefficient
Floor suffers ground heave.
Access road and car park in poor condition.
The Future
To read what is happening see www.kinrosscurlingtrust.org and overleaf. Lots of effort but killer step out of reach --- sportscotland funding on offer and local curlers have fundraised. But no one else will answer. The Government is silent, Perth & Kinross Council is silent, other Trusts are silent and even commercial lenders. But the Trustees battle on.
But what about the wider curling community and the blazerati? Largely invisible and sleep walking to disaster. They seem not to realise this is not a Brora, a Pitlochry or a Lochgoilhead – all well loved but relatively lightly used facilities.
This is used by 1000 curlers, many of whom could give up in the absence of any close by alternative venue. Perth and Murrayfield are full. Kirkcaldy and Stirling have limited curling availability but are not curling only and are also limited in other ways.
Any super rich welcome. Any constructive suggestions welcome. Please donate or lend to the Trust and make your voice heard — draw on the facts here and overleaf.
New facility
6 sheets of curling only ice maintained to the highest standards and available as needed by elite and local curlers. Full supporting facilities. Estimated cost £4.1m. For a further £1m the RCCC offices and museum could be added to create a true world class home of curling.
Outline planning consent obtained November 2009. Full professional design team in place. 5 year professionally prepared business plan available.
Sportscotland have made a provisional and conditional offer of £1.5m grant. Local curlers on target to raise £0.25m. A few local curlers have already offered loans totalling around £35K. Charitable Trusts, national and local companies, banks and government at local and national levels have been approached, but positive answers are awaited.
What you can’t do?
Sit on your hands as that will have one outcome —the end of curling in Kinross. Sportscotland are looking for early progress: otherwise the funds will be diverted elsewhere.
What can you do?
Raise the matter with your local councillor or MSP or RCCC director or representative. Use the facts here.
Make a donation to the Trust using gift aid if appropriate.
Make a loan to the Trust. Interest would be offered.
Act now – do not wait for others or nothing will happen.
