Come and curl Aberdeen

Tuesday 22 March 2005

The north east’s first regional curling training and competition venue, Curl Aberdeen, is to be officially opened tomorrow (Wednesday 23 March) in a joint unveiling ceremony by Provost John Reynolds, Aberdeen City Council, and Provost Raymond Bissett of Aberdeenshire Council.

"sportscotland is delighted to have supported this project with an award of £800,000 from the Lottery funded Sports Facilities Programme"

The £2.7m six sheet curling rink which boasts the latest equipment for freezing and dehumidifying, has been supported by an award of £800,000 from sportscotland’s Lottery funded Sports Facilities Programme, with additional funding from Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and BP.

Following the closure of Stoneywood rink in Dyce back in 1996, The Ice Rink Club rallied to find a new secure base to ensure the continuation of curling in Aberdeen. After a fantastic community effort with some 650 members contributing £500,000 by personal contribution and fundraising towards the project, The Ice Rink Club joined forces with sportscotland, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Royal Caledonian Curling Club and BP to secure the site at Summerhill and work on the new rink began in April 2004.

The first class training and competition venue will provide the 26 member clubs and Grampian Institute of Sport athletes with state of the art curling facilities in which to develop their curling skills and increase the number of Scots performing on the world stage.

The facility is also open to schools, universities, community and disabled groups, providing them with the opportunity to try the sport and experience the fun and enjoyment it can provide, encouraging long term participation and helping to achieve sportscotland’s vision of making more people, more active, more often.

Curl Aberdeen hopes that the new facilities will attract more potential curlers to the rink, helping to develop and improve the sport of curling in the area.

George Esson, Chairman of the Club said: "Our curlers are delighted with the new rink and we rejoice in its completion. There has been a huge commitment by members both financially and in effort. The future for curling in Aberdeen and the north-east is bright."

Tom Brewster, Manager and Ice Maker at the rink and member of the GB Olympic Squad, commented: "The new rink has the latest technology built into it and we are attracting top curlers to use our facility. The GB and Norwegian Olympic Squads have already used the rink for training sessions."

Alastair Dempster, Chairman, sportscotland said "sportscotland is delighted to have supported this project with an award of £800,000 from the Lottery funded Sports Facilities Programme.

"Curl Aberdeen has enabled the continuation of the curling tradition in the north east of Scotland, ensuring that people of all ages and abilities, from grassroots to high performance level have the opportunity to take part in the sport and helping to achieve our vision of creating a healthier, more active nation."

Tim Smith, External Affairs Manager for BP added "BP is delighted to have been able to help in the creation of this fantastic new facility, and we applaud the efforts of everyone involved. The new rink should provide a real boost to the sport in Scotland and is a great addition to the local community."

• The official opening of Curl Aberdeen will take place on Wednesday 23 March at 4pm at Eday Walk, Summerhill, Aberdeen, AB15 6LN.
• You are invited to send a photographer/reporter/cameraman to the opening.