A revamp and a takeover are the way to preserve the only ice rink left in the north, according to its chairman.
The running of Inverness Ice Centre could soon be taken over by Highland Council’s arms-length charity High Life Highland – while further improvements to the complex have also been unveiled.
The board of directors has been in discussions with High Life Highland (HLH) since December last year with a view to HLH taking over management of the ice centre.
Chair Tom Pendreigh said: “The Ice Centre staffing structure has been in place now since [it] was purchased by the users back in 2002, and the board are looking to install a robust management structure that will help us through the next steps of the upgrading.
“With new plant now installed the board have aspirations to further upgrade the facilities – the bar, toilets and changing areas along with modernising our booking systems and payment mechanisms.
“We also seek to increase interest in ice sports overall, which in turn allows us to keep the Ice Centre sustainable for the future while allowing us to attract more national interest in using our Ice Centre to host events from outside of the area.”
He added: “At the end of last year the board of directors of Inverness Ice Centre (IIC) approached High Life Highland to discuss whether there would be benefit to members by entering into a partnership and help us to manage IIC and look at the benefits of such a partnership.
“IIC Staff were informed that these discussions were taking place and HLH managers were invited to speak to staff to understand more about the running of the centre.
“A proposed staffing structure has now been produced and should we enter an agreement with HLH all staff will be protected under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations.”
Such a partnership, he said, would help preserve the only ice rink left in the Highlands.
It would increase the chance of funding opportunities for modernisation of the bar, toilet and changing areas. There are also plans to upgrade the car park.
Mr Pendreigh added a partnership presented opportunities for the HLH sports team to work with the governing bodies of curling, skating and ice hockey to identify opportunities to increase participation levels in these activities.
It also offers the potential to develop the programme of events and activities offered within the centre through collaboration with other HLH services.
There would also be an opportunity to offer ice sports as part of the High Life membership scheme, and establish a programme of family activities and events in the Bught area linking all HLH facilities.
A new management structure, he added, would help reduce operating overheads by being part of the larger HLH portfolio, while there would be savings by linking the catering and retailing operations.
The chairman added: “HLH have now presented a business case to their trading board and have agreed in principle to respond positively, should the IIC board make a formal approach.”