A SCOTTISH ice rink is set to close due to "spiralling energy costs," with staff facing redundancy.
The board of Moray Leisure Centre made the announcement to close Elgin Ice Rink after it concluded it "is no longer financially viable".
The centre said it had seen its energy costs double, and while reviewing costs, the board chose to close the area which generates the least amount of income and consumes the most energy, which is the ice rink.
The local MP and MSP have urged the council to explore every means possible of supporting Moray Leisure to avoid the permanent closure of the facility, with Richard Lochhead MSP saying he "passed young people enjoying themselves as they skated on the ice" this morning.
Skaters and curlers accounted for less than 10% of all users of the leisure centre, the board found, and said the cost of running the ice rink "threatens the financial sustainability of the whole leisure centre if action is not taken swiftly".
The rink will close from Monday, August 4.
A spokesperson for the board, said: “Despite our best efforts to secure a future for the ice rink, Moray Leisure Centre’s overall operation has effectively subsidised the ice rink’s operation for the past six years and rising energy bills means this has now reached a level where it is unaffordable. We know that the closure of the ice rink will be very disappointing for those who use the facility and for the coaches and clubs who depend upon it.”
The Scottish Ice Rinks Association has reported energy cost increases of up to 600%, placing many ice rinks around the country at risk of closure.
In 2023, Ayr Ice Rink announced its closure after energy bills doubled and its owners were unable to find an additional £150,000 per year to keep operating.
A small number of staff roles are at risk of redundancy as a result of the closure , and those affected have been informed. They are being supported to find alternative employment opportunities, the board said.
A spokesperson for the board, added: “Moray Leisure Centre is a not for profit company which must remain self-financing. The priority of the board is establishing long term financial security for the whole leisure centre which has the opportunity to thrive and reinvest in better facilities for the community.
These decisions are never easy, but they are necessary, and we are continuing to work closely with a range of community partners.”
Lochhead, an SNP MSP, said: “The closure of [[Moray]]’s only ice rink will come as a huge blow given the popularity of the facility with local families, clubs, and ice hockey team.
“Indeed, this morning I passed young people enjoying themselves as they skated on the ice when I was down at the Leisure Centre and now we have an announcement that it is to close.
“[[Moray]] Leisure Centre is not alone in struggling with soaring energy costs and inflation, with nearby ice facilities in Inverness and Aberdeen having to turn to crowdfunding to covering increasing costs. Tackling energy costs and ensuring that we benefit from the massive energy resources on our doorstep should be top of the UK Government’s agenda."
He added that he would meet with the centre’s management in the coming days and had written urgently to the Scottish Government asking if anything could be done to help and seeking advice on how to better support ice rinks that are high users of energy.
SNP MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey Graham Leadbitter added: “This news will come as a shock and a blow to the local community, the many people participating in ice dance, ice hockey, and curling, who are reliant on Moray’s only ice rink.
“I urge the council to explore every means possible of supporting Moray Leisure to avoid the permanent closure of the facility, which is much loved and well used, and of course I’ll work with Moray Leisure, Moray Council, and government to explore which options are available to keep the ice rink open.
“People in Moray should not have to travel long distances away to make use of facilities that have, until now, been available and well used on their doorstep.”
Moray Council leader, councillor Kathleen Robertson, also commented: "Moray Council is aware of the decision by the Moray Leisure Ltd Board to close the ice rink at Moray Leisure Centre from August 4, 2025.
"While this is clearly a difficult decision for them, rising energy costs are being felt across all industries and in homes around the country, so it's also an understandable measure to take to ensure financial viability for the rest of the facility.
"I appreciate this disappointing news will be devastating for the clubs who use the ice rink regularly and can confirm Moray Council will continue to work with the board and management team to help identify and implement energy saving measures and facility efficiencies."
