The Chairman of Sport Aberdeen has celebrated investment and development works at Aberdeen’s popular Linx Ice Arena after a short close-down to allow for quality improvements.
Alongside the registered charity’s modernisation plans, critical routine maintenance has been carried out.
In preparation for the new skating season Sport Aberdeen has successfully secured over £110,000 of external and partnership monies to deliver major upgrades. Matched with its own carefully targeted investment significant changes are being delivered.
Key works include: Breaking and re-formation of the ice on the ice pad to ensure that the ice is maintained to the highest possible standard and large-scale visual renovations with upgrades to both the exterior and interior of the Ice Arena.
Ahead of the Lynx Ice Hockey Club’s first Scottish Premier League home fixture, over £60,000 of partnership cash is being spent to upgrade the Arena’s team changing rooms.
After a hard-fought external fundraising drive, £50,000 has been raised to install a dehumidifier to the ice hall ahead of the new season. The dehumidifier will not only reduce energy costs and carbon emissions but also provided a much-improved environment for both skaters and spectators.
Sport Aberdeen today said it had seized this opportunity to undertake a wider programme of modernisation to ensure that the North-east has access to first-class facilities.
Sport Aberdeen’s Linx Ice Arena and Beach Leisure Centre have recently been certified as Autism Friendly, making the Granite City’s ice rink the first to receive this award in the UK.
Sport Aberdeen Chairman Colin Taylor formally opened the ice arena with the cutting of a ribbon on Friday, August 18. He was also joined by newly appointed professional Ice Coach Jon Behari.
Colin Taylor Sport Aberdeen Chairman said:
“Creating and maintaining first class sporting facilities within a community setting is key to our ongoing modernisation plans. By using a combination of funding and working in partnership we are ensuring that Sport Aberdeen continues to create opportunities and can inspire more people to get active through sport and physical activity.
“This is a great opportunity for everyone in the North-east to give this brilliant sport a go and with a new Learn to Skate Co-Ordinator in place, I hope customers and clubs are eager to get their skates back on.
“Being the first ice rink in Scotland to achieve the Autism Friendly Award is testament to the hard work and dedication of Sport Aberdeen to create an environment where people of all abilities can enjoy sport.”