Lottery funded curling rink just a stone's throw away

Friday, 2 April 2004

Fresh from junior world championships in Canada last week, bronze medallist and Grampian Institute of Sport curler Graham Smith will lend his support today (5 April 2004) to mark the start of construction of a new regional training and competition venue, for curling in the North East of Scotland. With an investment of £800,000 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund Sports Facilities Programme, this project will provide the Aberdeen curling fraternity with an excellent new facility designed to encourage more people to experience the game and helping to strengthen the sport in Scotland.

The new facility will be built at Summerhill on the west edge of Aberdeen, thanks to land made available from Aberdeen City Council. It will include a six-sheet curling rink with ancillary facilities for use by the 700 strong membership. The rink will be the regional centre for the development of curling in North East Scotland with the ultimate goal of producing potential future world and Olympic champions. It will be the regular training venue for the curlers in the Grampian Institute of Sport.

Since the impending closure of the Stoneywood rink in Dyce was first announced, the Ice Rink Club have been working closely with key partners including Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, BP, the Royal Caledonian Curling Club and sportscotland to ensure the future of the sport in North East Scotland.

The rink will also be open to schools, universities, community groups and disabled people all encouraged to try out the sport and extend their use of the facility, supported by a full time curling development officer.

George Stevenson, Curling Project Group Chairman said:” We would like to acknowledge the financial support received from all the funding partners. Our curling facility will be one of the best in Scotland when completed and will ensure the continuation of curling in the North East.

“ We especially wish to build on the youth programme and the appointment of a development officer will provide an opportunity to create a competitive school league.

“ We look forward to welcoming new members from all ages in the community and increasing the high profile that curling has now taken on.”

Alastair Dempster Chairman of sportscotland said: “We are delighted that work is now underway to construct a new regional curling facility at Aberdeen, supported by an award of £800,000 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund. This curling facility will be a terrific new asset to Scottish sport and will provide an opportunity for curlers of all levels ranging from grassroots participation to high performance to train and compete in a quality environment.

“ This project clearly reflects our ongoing commitment towards working with our partners in creating pathways for lifelong participation and future sporting success. In these times of falling Lottery income we must adopt a forward thinking partnership approach to maximise our limited resources and achieve a healthier and fitter Scotland for all.”

It is anticipated that the new regional curling rink will be completed by January 2005.

• You are invited to send a photographer/reporter/cameraman to the official ceremony in Aberdeen to mark the start of construction of a new regional curling facility. This will take place at Eday Road, Summerhill (beside the Baptist Church) Aberdeen at 14.00 on Monday 5 April 2004.
• Grampian Institute of Sport curler and Aberdeen resident Graham Smith will attend the ceremony with his bronze medal from the Junior World Curling Championships in Canada last week.