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N-ice to see Aviemore skating rink start to take shape





LAYING FOUNDATIONS: For a new rink not far from where the Aviemore Resort facility was controversial axed in 1999.
LAYING FOUNDATIONS: For a new rink not far from where the Aviemore Resort facility was controversial axed in 1999.

There are now visible signs of great progress for the return of real ice to Aviemore after two decades without a rink.

Construction started on the base earlier this week and installation of the marquee – measuring 30 metres by 15 metres – yesterday which will house the seasonal facility at the Macdonald resort.

Duncan Swarbrick, of project leaders Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust, said: “This is a really exciting time in the first phase for the return of ice to Aviemore as construction starts on the base, installation of services and marquee.

"We have now made the final payment on the ice rink, delivery set for end of this month but we do need to keep fundraising to help other elements of the project.

"Thanks again to everyone who has supported Aviemore Community Ice in getting to this point."

Such has been the tremendous response to the community appeal to raise a minimum of £85,000 that organisers have now set a target for October 9-10, to catch the start of the half-term school holidays rather than in December.

But AGCT has said that efforts must continue to ensure that there is also enough to cover the costs of the first six to seven months of operation, with an estimated budgeted running cost of £6000 per week.

They then hope that the 20 metres by 12 metres real ice rink facility will become financially self-sustainable.

The efforts received a massive boost, with confirmation of £25,000 from the Cairngorms National Park Authority’s Green Recovery Fund in June.

Half of this money has been used to meet half of the cost of the marquee.

The intention is to run the rink daily from opening through to the end of the Easter holidays, with later night openings at the weekends

The rink at the Aviemore Resort was controversial axed in 1999.

More on the project and donations can be made here

Trust gets skates on with plans for Aviemore ice rink


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