Murdo Fraser MSP is urging Perth and Kinross Council to consider the impact of Perth having no curling rink.
This follows a recent meeting with Council chiefs when the Scottish Conservative politician highlighted how important the sport is to the city and its surrounding area.
The council have embarked on a public consultation entitled ‘The Future Use of Bell’s Sports Centre,’ and have set out the reasons why they will not be pursuing the suggestion that the centre could be revamped into an ice rink.
Perth and Kinross Council have produced an ‘Executive Summary’ document on Bell’s Sports Centre, which says: “While ice has been considered, given the costs involved in developing this at Bell’s, the wider recommendation that there is no commercial case for the Council to continue to operate an ice facility this option is not being pursued.”
Following the meeting with Thomas Glen, Chief Executive of Perth and Kinross Council and Councillor Grant Laing, Leader of Perth and Kinross Council, Mr Fraser said: “I was disappointed with what the Council had to say about the distinct possibility of Perth losing its long and proud association with curling. I realise they have to consider their financial situation but it is important to point out that this has been mainly caused by the SNP Government cutting funding to local authorities for many years.
“The Council chiefs at the meeting talked about their main priority being to prevent poverty in the region, and I understand that point of view, but I told them they must realise the impact of losing curling for good in Perth. Perth is steeped in curling history and has produced top curling players, such as Olympic champion Eve Muirhead.
“It will be a massive and very sad loss if the Council decided not to have any curling facilities in Perth. I think that their plan to build five-a-side football pitches at Bell’s is sensible but they should consider that there were more than 11,000 curling visits to the Dewars Centre in a year, according to Council figures.”
Mr Fraser continued: “I have discussed with Scottish Curling the future of the existing Dewars Rinks, which they are interested in taking over, but there are serious financial and practical barriers to be overcome if that is to be an option. I urged the Council to do all they can to see if this plan could be made to work.
“The Council’s recommendation not to fund an ice rink in Perth is bound to be met with dismay by many people, both in Perth and across the country.”
Other local politicians also attended the meeting with Perth and Kinross Council chiefs, including First Minister John Swinney.
