Community trust polls on plans for an Aviemore ice rink
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The trust behind the proposed community bid for the Cairngorm Estate is polling its members on whether it should look at providing a temporary ice rink in Aviemore.
Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust has said that successfully launching and managing the rink will show Highlands and Islands Enterprise it has the right credentials to run the resort and wider estate.
It says that HIE has suggested the trust should undertake a project outwith the ski area to provide this evidence.
Proposals for an ice rink in the village over winter were highlighted as a possible project by AGCT at its AGM last November.
But the trust says that is needs it members' views in order to inform its board on whether to proceed with the rink.
AGCT chairwoman Hazel Pavitt said yesterday: "We will be closing our survey for feedback on Sunday coming.
"So far we have had a 50 per cent response from members and of those responses 80 per cent agree with a project outwith the estate to complement our on-going goal of asset transfer."
The post sent out to trust members states: "The trust was created for the development of mountain sport, educational and recreational facilities for the benefit of the community and the public.
"Mountain sport and recreation is a key part of the cultural identity of the communities in Badenoch and Strathspey.
"All of the aims and visions which we have promoted to date have involved projects on Cairngorm Mountain.
"They were all conceived as ways to make it a sustainable all year-round destination for the benefit of our local communities, business communities and visitors.
"Cairngorm has played a major role in the social, economic and cultural development of the communities in Badenoch and Strathspey and we believe that the mountain will thrive if owned by the communities who have a vested interest in its success and we continue to work with HIE to develop a model for community ownership.
"Mountain recreation resources often have complex operational challenges and competing interests.
"HIE are keen to ensure that any organisation involved in Cairngorm has the ability to manage complex resources.
"Whilst AGCT has presented a number of projects to HIE, where they are being taken forward, we have not been substantially involved in any of them.
"The suggestion from HIE is that AGCT undertake a project out with the ski area, which if successfully completed would provide the evidence HIE require.
"Whilst projects away from Cairngorm mountain are within the trust’s purposes, we are conscious that many members joined because of their interest in Cairngorm.
"We are keen to hear our members views on whether AGCT should move forward with such projects.
"Specifically, we would like your views on whether you are in favour of a seasonal temporary under cover ice rink, similar to those found in other European communities in which mountain recreation is a key part of their cultural identity.
"This project would need to be self-sufficient and self-funded.
"As these continue to uncertain times and social distancing looks likely to be in place for some time the target delivery date for this project would be for the winter 2021–2022."
Alan Brattey is spokesman for Save the Ciste and was instrumental in much of the work that led to the formation of the trust.
He said: "It's our view that the trust must commit all of its time and energy to the achievement of its primary aim and not be distracted by engaging in separate projects."
At its AGM in November, last year, then trust project manager Alex Ash updated members on all the projects that AGCT had approached HIE with. They were all rejected by the agency.
Trust directors said a wide range of suggestions “had failed to gain any traction” with the resort’s owners.
The proposals brought forward at various times were taking over the catering at the Day Lodge to keep it going after the previous operator went into administration; plans for an Alpine coaster; a project to develop camper van parking at Coire na Ciste car park; proposals for a heat exchange scheme between the Snowfactory and Day Lodge; a proposition for a chairlift from the Base Station to the Shieling for a quick solution to the funicular being out of action; developing a ticketing system for the resort and plans for a small office in Aviemore shared with Cairngorm Mountain to create a joint base.
The Aviemore Centre Ice Rink opened in 1966 and proved to be a hugely popular venue and later became home to the Aviemore Blackhawks from 1976 to 1990.
The rink was demolished within a short space of time in the late 1990s after organisers of the Highland Trade Fair said the facilities were not up to standard and threatened to relocate the money-spinning event away if improvements were not made.
The rink was knocked down using a public subsidy to make way for a fair under canvas.
However, organisers relocated its renamed Made in Scotland trade fair to the Central Belt anyway just two years later.
Do you think AGCT should work up plans for a temporary rink in Aviemore or focus on an asset transfer of the ski resort and wider estate?
Let us know at editorial@sbherald or on our Facebook page.
