SOUTH Ayrshire Council today vowed to do all they could to prevent the closure of Ayr Ice Rink.

The pledge comes after owners Ayrshire Curlers Ltd announced that the rink would have to shut in October due to soaring costs.

Managing director Andrew Kerr said that it was with a "heavy heart" that the popular local rink will close, citing energy costs brought on "by the consequences of Putin's war in Ukraine" as the reason.

However, in a statement today South Ayrshire Council said: "In light of Ayr Curling Club’s decision to close Ayr Ice Rink in October, we have written to their board to offer support which could help prevent the closure of the facility.

“We have been in discussions with the club for a number of months in relation to their potential future delivery model.

"Most recently, we have offered to provide full support through our Economy & Regeneration team which will include a full review of the ice rink’s business plan, and carry out an energy audit to establish feasibility of energy savings and new energy sources.

"We will also work with their board to consider potential changes to the legal structure of the organisation.

"The council are keen to provide assistance to ensure that the board are able to focus on future growth and long-term sustainability for all users of the ice rink.

“The board have confirmed that they are willing to explore all avenues to help keep the Ice Rink open and we are now progressing at pace with appropriate council officers working on this to support the board going forward.”

The rink is home to 40 curling clubs, as well as around 550 skating members. It is also a social hub for local residents

It recently celebrated its 50th anniversary in February, and the board will now seek Members Voluntary Liquidation.

MD Mr Kerr said last week: "It is with a very heavy heart that the board of Ayrshire Curlers Ltd, the owner of Ayr Ice Rink, has made the unavoidable decision to close the rink on September 30 and to seek Members Voluntary Liquidation.

"This situation has been brought about entirely as a result of the unprecedented increase in energy costs.

"Energy is the biggest expenditure in making ice and the bill for the last financial year amounted to £153,000.

"From October 1 the best deal we have been able to secure will see that rise by 110 per cent.

"The reality of this is that the average daily cost for electricity will rise from £419 to £880 – an increase of £461 each and every day of the year and we would have to generate more than £150,000 additional income to cover our energy costs, never mind wage increases and inflationary increases on all the other expenses of running an ice rink.

"It simply cannot be done.

"Discussions have been ongoing with senior councillors in South Ayrshire since the problem first appeared on the horizon back in 2022 and, initially, they led us to believe that a new ice rink for Ayr was a possibility.

"Realistically, a new build rink is the only way energy costs might be brought down to a manageable level but the capital cost is likely to be counted in millions."