COMMUNITY efforts are being stepped up to stave off the threat of closure at Ayr Ice Rink.

More than 10,000 people have signed an online petition to show their support for keeping the facility open.

The Ayr Bruins youth ice hockey club, Ayr Figure Skating Club and Kyle Figure Skating Club have issued a joint statement asking the facility's owners, Ayr Curlers Ltd (ACL), to halt the process of moving towards liquidation – pointing out that there are more than 350 young people who use the rink for figure skating, ice hockey and curling who will be affected if it closes.

ACL announced at the end of June that the ice rink will close at the end of September, citing spiralling energy costs brought on "by the consequences of Putin's war in Ukraine".

The three clubs say they "believe strongly that there are options open to Ayr Curlers Ltd" to save the rink, including setting up a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) to run the facility, which they say would open up access to public and grant funding.

A 'Save Ayr Ice Rink' Facebook page has also been set up to share the latest news from the campaign to prevent the facility's closure.

The clubs have suggested that ACL join forces with them to form a new SCIO, or that they pass over responsibility for the rink to them.

In their joint statement the clubs said: "ACL have announced their intention to move forward with voluntary liquidation. Liquidators will strip and sell assets from the company, and revenue generated will be used primarily to fund the significant costs, legal and administration fees associated with liquidation.

"Creditors and suppliers will share the remaining revenue generated prior to any further distribution.

Ayr Advertiser:

"No heed will require to be paid to a prospective buyer's intended use, over and above local planning.

"We want to ask ACL to stop the process of moving towards liquidation. There are over 350 children and young people who use Ayr Ice Rink for figure skating, ice hockey and curling who will be truly devastated it if closes. There are no alternatives for them.

"There is an enormous appetite within the general public to both save and use Ayr Ice Rink.

"We are sure that ACL will try everything to keep Ayr Ice Rink open. They have partners in Ayr Bruins, AFSC and KFSC who are ready and willing to help make that happen."

The rink, which was 50 years old in February, is home to 40 curling clubs, as well as around 550 skating members.

ACL chairman Liz Goldie said the company had held talks with South Ayrshire Council over the possibility of a new build facility, and that the authority had "initially led us to believe that a new ice rink for Ayr was a realistic possibility", but that the council's "word turned out to be hollow".

A spokesperson for South Ayrshire Council said: "We have written to [ACL's] board to offer support which could help prevent the closure of the facility.

"We have been in discussions with the club for a number of months in relation to their potential future delivery model.

"Most recently, we have offered to provide full support through our economy and regeneration team, which will include a full review of the ice rink's business plan, and carry out an energy audit to establish the feasibility of energy savings and new energy sources.

"We will also work with their board to consider potential changes to the legal structure of the organisation.

"The council are keen to provide assistance to ensure that the board are able to focus on future growth and long-term sustainability for all users of the ice rink.

"The board have confirmed that they are willing to explore all avenues to help keep the Ice Rink open and we are now progressing at pace with appropriate council officers working on this to support the board going forward."