Border Ice Rink saved by funding

It's one of a dozen ice rinks across the country to share more than £1.75m package to help support independently and privately owned or operated rinks during the pandemic.

Graeme Baxter, manager of Border Ice Rink, said: “It was fantastic to receive the news of this support from the Scottish Government and sportscotland.

"Without this investment our ability to reopen would have been in serious doubt.

“This has been a very challenging year and this funding will help us to do the work necessary to ensure we can open up safely when the time is right.”

He added: "Border Ice Rink is a big part of the local community and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone back on the ice as soon as we can.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The funding is part of the £55m emergency sports funding package from the Scottish Government.

Sport minister, Mairi Gougeon, said: “I recognise the importance of ice sports for Scotland's sporting sector and subject to Covid levels, we would hope to see people returning to the rink when it is safe to do so.

“This vital funding will support facilities and clubs to mitigate the impact of pandemic and will hopefully allow them to reopen safely and sustainably when they can, welcoming back ice sports across the country.”