More than £20,000 worth of repairs have been carried out at Lockerbie Ice Rink to address issues of security and safety risks as a new season has started.
The work has included replacing doors, windows and rubber flooring within the Dumfriesshire ice rink building on Glasgow Road as their poor state of repair affected the use of the rink, particularly for curling.
The new main entrance now has sensor controlled doors which significantly assist wheelchair users entering the facility.
This work was part funded by a grant of £19,400 by Annandale and Nithsdale Community Benefit Company, administered by Foundation Scotland.
Chairperson of Lockerbie Ice Rink, Duncan Gracie said: “We are extremely appreciative to ANCBC for providing this funding support which enabled the infrastructure and appearance of the facility to be significantly improved without passing the costs onto the
customers.”
The funding for the improvements was doubly important to the continuation of the facility as no other games enable young, elderly able bodied and disabled personnel to play together.
Sessions for inclusive quiet time skating for vulnerable persons and tots are now also available at weekends.
In addition, Alan Somerville, senior development officer of Cunninghame Housing Association recently presented a cheque for £1,000 to Marion Murdoch, Tom Smith and Ted Hills of Lockerbie Ice Rink Curling School.
The funding is to subsidise a block of curling sessions for their Mini Rockers section, which provides start up tuition for young people aged six to nine-years-old.
Rae Graham, vice chairperson of Lockerbie Ice Rink, said: “We are extremely grateful to Cunninghame Housing Association for providing the support to the Mini Rockers and funding an ice logo which assists with the cost of the maintenance of the facility.”
Janet Strang, chairperson of CHA added: “We are delighted to be able to provide financial support to Lockerbie Ice Rink, providing young people with an opportunity to learn a new sport as well as supporting their social skills and assisting with their development.
“The ice rink is clearly a valuable asset within the community and beyond.
“We hope the young people enjoy the sessions”.
Lockerbie Ice Rink has been operating within Lockerbie since 1967.