Inverness Ice Centre is getting set to reopen doors from July 16 with the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions – as well as regular public skating and ice hockey activities there will also be four, week-long, summer camps
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Staff at a Highland ice rink are busily getting ready to reopen the centre in July.
The move follows the Scottish Government’s roadmap for easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
Organisers at Inverness Ice Centre have announced that they will be welcoming the public back from July 16.
Chief executive Gordon Barron said they had to think long and hard about when it was best to reopen.
“There are three main considerations that we had to balance in making the decision: the need to follow government guidance, for us to be fully confident that we can open safely by following the guidance and the desire for the ice sports to return when safe to do so,” he said.
“Setting July 16 provides the sports and the centre with a definite date to work to, providing everyone with the time to make ready. It’s really exciting to finally be at this stage and the early feedback from the sports clubs is really positive.”
In addition to the regular public skating and ice hockey activities there will also be running four, week-long, summer camps – these will be for figure skating, synchronised skating, ice hockey and adult skating – within safe Covid numbers.
Mr Barron said: “The early interest is terrific and we hope with success this year that camps will become a feature for years to come. We are also now in the throes of planning for returning to curling in mid-September.”
He said that the safety measures, which were put in place before the recent lockdown, would still be in operation when the centre reopens in July.
These will include: one way systems, air flow and air pressure testing, strict social distancing, track and trace procedures, installation of new ducting, large capacity fans to improve air flow, as well as a deep cleaning and testing regime.
Mr Barron added: “Sportscotland used the Ice Centre to trial air flow and CO2 testing technology with the results being collected automatically from the many devices placed around the arena.
“From this central data, our results were clear, giving us the confidence that our processes are working fully.”
