Ayr’s ice rink director says his unpopular decision to melt the ice at the Ayr centre has now proved to be the correct one.

After uncertainty towards the end of last year about when people would be allowed back on the ice, the club took the decision to turn off the plant which cools the ice, and let the ice melt.

The decision was not well-received with skaters and coaches, who believed that the ice should have been maintained in the unlikely chance that restrictions eased and allowed clubs to resume.

As it turned out, Ayr Ice Rink only reopened on Sunday, May 2, with skaters and clubs getting back to business throughout the following week.

Speaking about the decision to melt the ice, director Andrew Kerr said: “It certainly turned out to be the correct decision to do so.

“Keeping the electricity running would’ve cost an arm and a leg and especially with no guarantee about when we were going to get back on the ice, it definitely was the correct decision.

“As it transpired, the restrictions have only been lifted now and we opened again on May 2.

“This has only been possible because the Scottish Ice Rinks Association and curling’s national body, the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, made the case to the Scottish Government that, without financial support, there was a very real risk that some ice rinks would not survive.

“Our own financial position was perilous although the curlers had pledged their financial support which thankfully, is not now required”.

The rink received a share of a 1.75m support package from the Scottish Government, given to ice rinks that have been closed during the pandemic.

Ayr Ice Rink were awarded with a £181,000 share of the support package.

Andrew added: “The past year has been extremely difficult for many people and for many businesses, not least our ice rinks.

“Putting down ice in the rink isn’t simply a case of turning on the tap and the refrigeration plant. It takes the best part of a month all the time “eating” electricity as though there was no tomorrow plus the return from furlough of our dedicated ice team and with no income coming through the door.

“With the vaccination programme progressing well, there is light at the end of the very dark COVID tunnel. The skaters and the hockey girls and boys returning next week is a major step forward and with the curlers resuming at the start of their season in September all being well, we can look forward optimistically to a return to normal at Ayr Ice Rink.”