Inverness Ice Centre is stepping up efforts to diversify with events and festivals to prevent closure due to rising energy costs.
There have been warnings that some of Scotland’s 23 ice rinks will have to shut their doors because of huge increases in the price of keeping cold while households try to stay warm.
The charity that runs the Inverness venue is already paying £10,000-£12,000 a month on energy.
It says other similar-sized venues have bills of up to £30,000 a month and says it could not survive a similar rise.
Ice shut down to save money
It has already taken the “prudent but hard” decision to shut down the ice for three months from April 10 to July 1 to save money.
That also opens up opportunities to attract more events, including music gigs and other sporting competitions, to generate extra income.
“We close for three months to make sure we open nine months”, says chairman Michael Green.
“If we didn’t close for three months we would be closed for 12 months.”
Singer songwriter Callum Beattie will stage a gig at the ice centre on June 3.
The charity hopes it can host more music events in future, including gigs that would normally be held in The Ironworks which closes next month.
It will also again host gin and whisky festivals this year, along with darts and boxing events which all attract hundreds of people.
It is looking to stream these events globally, while also increasing footfall by developing its bar overlooking the ice into a sports bar.
In addition, it is also offering a sponsor the chance to have naming rights on the arena.
Earlier this month, Inverness Ice Centre Ltd announced that it planned to continue to provide all its traditional ice activities while seeking to attract a new group of visitors.
Mr Green said the ‘hybrid’ model is needed to avoid closure.
“Ice rinks across Scotland will close due to energy costs. We’ve been innovative and creative to develop the community hub and events arena which will get us through this and ensure long-term viability.
“Others will not be so fortunate. Nobody is safe, there’s going to be casualties.”
Ice sports remains core business
CEO Gordon Barron said the centre has looked to evolve since the pandemic.
“We’ve been thinking long and hard since lockdown about the need to look at other income generating streams to be viable going forward.
“Our core business is ice sports and to protect the ice sports we’re expanding these other things.”
He said there has been strong interest from bands keen to use the ice centre, which has a capacity of 1,600, as a future venue.
He added: “We’ve a very attractive proposition to offer a name sponsor.”
This year’s off-ice programme will start with Strictly Inverness, in partnership with Highland Hospice from May 10-13.
That will be followed in the following weekend by professional and then amateur boxing events.
A pro darts event will be followed by the Callum Beattie gig, the Ness Gin Festival and the Inverness Whisky Festival.
Mike Ferguson, chairman of the Scottish Ice Rinks Association, said the situation facing rinks is “pretty dire”.
His facility at Forfar Ice Sports has seen gas bills rise from £1,900 a month to £14,000, helped only by £2,500 government support
“We’ve had to pass some of that increased cost to the customers, who will just stop playing sport. It’s a leisure activity at the end of the day.
“I can’t over-emphasise how severe the situation is. Ice rinks will close, there is no doubt about that.
“All over Scotland there is pressure on facilities as they are so utility intensive. Running a plant to maintain the ice is very expensive.
Planning with trepidation
“Rinks are planning for next season with trepidation and trying to get through as best they can.”
He said many centres are looking into ways of saving money and he praised Inverness for its actions.
“Inverness decided to turn off the ice and utilise the business in other ways with more commercial events.
“Many more places will have to look at doing something similar.”
Are you interested in all the latest news and updates from Inverness? If so, why not join our new Facebook group here
Conversation