Donations give ice centre life-saving equipment
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One of the largest indoor sports facilities in the north has secured its own defibrillator, which members say may just save someone’s life.
Inverness Ice Centre, in the city’s Bught Drive, raised more than £1600 to ensure the well-used sports and events facility has the life-saving equipment available to all users of the venue.
The idea to install a defibrillator was proposed by Maureen Fraser, following the death of her husband Bill four years ago.
He died at the age of 79, after suffering a cardiac arrest at a bowling club in Inverness.
She led a fundraising drive to have a defibrillator installed at the bowling club, with help from Stewart Sturrock, who is a curler at the ice centre.
Mrs Fraser has also been a member of Inverness Curling Club for more than 40 years and thought the ice centre needed a defibrillator too.
"I just felt that Inverness Ice Centre is such a big organisation with so many people using the facility that it really should have a defibrillator," she said.
"There are 900 curlers, as well as ice skaters and ice hockey members that regularly use the ice centre.
"It will make a huge difference – no-one knows when it’s their time.
"We really should have had it a long time ago. It might save someone’s life and if it can save just one person then it’s worth it."
Several curling clubs, curlers, skaters and ice hockey players donated to the cause.
Mrs Fraser’s daughter Jane, who is the commercial manager at the ice centre, was delighted.
"So many people use the Inverness Ice Centre – as well as our own members we also host many events, which attract large crowds," she said. "The fact we will now have a defibrillator available to anyone, not just in the centre, but in the surrounding area, such as Bught Park, could make a huge difference to someone who suffers a cardiac arrest."
Ross Cowie, of Skye-based charity Lucky2bhere, which installed the defibrillator and trained staff at the ice centre on how to operate the equipment, said: "By providing training and equipment in collaboration with the ice centre, the Lucky2bhere volunteers can pass on emergency life support skills, which, while hopefully never needed, can serve as a vital tool not just for the centre but for the benefit of the wider community."
The ice centre underwent a £700,000 upgrade earlier this year, which included air-cooled condensers and a control system along with a new floor and barriers in the ice hall.
It also hosts the annual Strictly Inverness dancing extravaganza, which sees thousands of pounds raised each year for the Highland Hospice and the ice centre.
The centre changed ownership a number of times before its users bought it in 2002, and it became a charitable organisation as part of the process.
