It is two months now since we re-opened and all things considered things have gone well. We must thank the staff for the hard work and the many extra hours of cleaning, wiping, and fogging to keep us all safe and well. Not to mention the guidance and support to the participants to ensure the Covid rules are followed.

We also wish to thank all the visitors to the Centre for your ongoing support and patience. We have had to make many changes to satisfy Covid 19 requirements, it is never easy, but you have adapted well.

This year has been like no other and that also applies to the ice usage at the Centre. Unusually there are large gaps in the Curling diary Monday to Thursday with the number of Curlers being well down on a standard year. We are however booked solid from Friday lunchtime to late Sunday with Skating and Hockey.

Given the unpredictability when we re-opened, you may recall that the ice scheduling was planned to the end of December 2020 with an ongoing review.

Although we are fortunate to be in Tier one in the Highlands, the unpredictability remains, and will remain until a reliable vaccination is completely rolled out. On reviewing the situation, the reality is that little will have changed in the first few months of the new year. The social aspect is central to the overall experience of a successful Bonspiel and indoor social gatherings are not going to be possible anytime soon. With that very much in mind, the difficult decision has been made not to hold Bonspiels for the remainder of the season. As things unfold with the vaccine and if the guidance has relaxed sufficiently to allow social gatherings, we may try to schedule Bonspiels at the end of the season.

The need to maximise our ice income is heightened further by the Hospice’s decision to cancel all indoor fundraising events in 2021 meaning that Strictly Inverness will not happen again next year. As you will be aware the Strictly event is of huge financial importance for the Rink. We do have a commitment for Strictly to be relaunched again in 2022, however, we need to make changes now to ensure ongoing viability.

For the reasons mentioned, the changes will involve moving things around to maximise our Friday and weekend ice schedule to help replace lost revenue and the clubs concerned will be contacted directly over the next few days.

I thank you again for your support, commitment and understanding during these extraordinary times.

Regards,

Gordon

Gordon Y Barron

Chief Executive