Chill out at the Aviemore ice rink this weekend
It is going to be not only a weekend but a summer of chilling at Aviemore's community ice rink.
Organisers Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust are to take deliver of new refrigeration chillers which will give them a huge saving on their current running costs.
It is great news at the end of a second successful season for the rink based at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort.
The facility will close for two months after the weekend to allow maintenance work to take place and to install the new refrigeration units.
But before that there will be an end of season big weekender called 'Goodbye Winter 2022/23' to thank everyone for their support.
A whole host of fun activities have been lined up from this Friday (April 28) to Sunday including:
• sponsors and community day with free ice sports including an opportunity to try mini curling
• Blades 'n' Beer session with a senior ice hockey end of season game;
• learn to skate sessions and two snow discos; and
• 'Let's Go Avalanche Let's Go' ice hockey tournament with fundraising barbecue.
AGCT co-ordinator Kirsty Bruce hopes that as many people as possible will be able to call into the rink over the three days.
She said: "As we come to the end of our second winter season at Aviemore Ice Rink, we would like to thank all our wonderful sponsors and funding partners for their support in helping us to further develop recreational ice sports.
"We’d also like to take the opportunity to celebrate our volunteer coaches and encourage more in our community to try ice sports with an end of season free ice sports day on Friday (April 28).
"This winter season has seen the return of ice curling to Aviemore, where local school children and visitors have been learning to throw a stones and sweep at the rink and we very excited to see how the curling develops.
"We hope to establish a recreational curling club for winter 2023/24.
"We hope as many people in the community will join us to have a go at mini-try curling, watch some ice hockey demo games and join in the fun of a snow disco with music from Speysound Radio, and enjoy some barbecue and drinks at the Bothy Box Bar."
The rink will close at the end of the fun on Sunday for May and June to allow essential maintenance and to replace the ice refrigeration chillers.
Funding support has come from Highland Council, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to purchase the new energy efficient chillers.
Mrs Bruce said: "The purchase of chillers will save the rink approximately £40,000 in rental costs.
"We expect delivery of the new chillers by mid-May, with works to remove and replace the chillers due to be complete by the end of May.
"This will allowing the trust to open the rink for the summer season by the beginning of July."
Check out Aviemore Ice Rink’s Facebook page and website for details of the closing weekend’s ice activities.
