City could be leader in ice sports

THE chief executive of Scottish Curling believes Perth can be a world leader in ice sports if an arena is built as part of a new leisure complex in the city.

Vincent Bryson, CEO of the sporting body, hopes Perth and Kinross Council will be ambitious in its plans for a new venue and build a seated arena capable of hosting elite-level curling championships, alongside hockey and skating.

Perth, considered by many as the Scottish home of curling, has lost out on top-level competitions to Dumfries in recent years because the city does not have an arena.

Mr Bryson told The Tele: “We genuinely think there’s an ice sports answer – and curling is part of that trio of critical ice sports.

“If you look at it internationally, then you are going to have to consider arena seating at some level, maybe a few hundred seats.

“You are then looking at world-level championships like World Juniors or even World Men’s and Women’s, which are the pinnacle events outside of the Olympics.

“There is an element of ambition where I think the city of Perth, the council, and Live Active Leisure can be real leaders nationwide and worldwide if they took that approach and thought how can we maximise this asset and double down on it.”

The Scottish Curling boss admitted his organisation will also have to contribute to making sure a new complex is used and is financially viable.

Perth’s current ice rink at Dewars Centre looks set to close alongside Perth Leisure Pool and Bell’s Sports Centre, with the three facilities being combined into one new complex.