A POPULAR Scots ice rink is being forced to crowd fund to stay open as it battles rising energy costs.
Inverness Ice Centre has seen its bills increase from £12,000 to £30,000 a month.
Inverness Ice Centre is battling to survive amid rising energy costs[/caption]
The centre is looking at ways of reducing the cost such as installing solar panels on the building’s roof.
Another suggestion was to sell a neighbouring property but this has been stalled for now.
In 2023, the centre went ice-free for three months amid efforts to stay in business.
A total of 44 jobs depend on the centre staying open.
The biggest drain on finances is refrigeration and keeping the ice rink intact for curling, skating and hockey.
Chief executive Gordon Barron told BBC Scotland: “The board will consult with our accountant to establish the level of crowd funding we require to meet our cash flow requirements over the next 12 months.
“The committee will be crowd fundraising to meet this requirement almost immediately and we will be looking for support from the public.”
The venue has previously hosted several events in an attempt to stay afloat, including a gig by Callum Beattie and gin and whisky festivals.
Last year, the Dewars Centre in Perth was earmarked for closure in an “extinction level” blow for curling.
It has remained open for the winter months only.
Meanwhile, Ayr Ice Rink pulled down the shutters in 2023 due to an “unprecedented hike” in energy costs.
