Paisley Daily Express

Pirates hail council for stepping up

Politician­s back Braehead Arena bid

- BEN RAMAGE

Paisley Pirates have praised Renfrewshi­re Council for its support as the club joins the fight to secure the future of ice hockey at Braehead Arena.

The Pirates and other local clubs face a worrying wait to discover whether the Clan’s bid to take over the running of the facility is successful or not.

Councillor­s recently passed a motion, which received unanimous support, that emphasised the view the ice rink should remain in place to ensure the future of ice hockey in Renfrewshi­re.

Pirates’ off-ice operations manager Jackie Turley believes council support can play a huge part in the Clan’s bid ultimately being successful.

She told Express Sport: “Glasgow Clan has submitted a bid which, if accepted, ensures a great future for the sport in the area.

“However, if a bid by another agency is accepted, where there is no intention to continue ice hockey at the arena, the sport and other ice activities, like ice skating where Paisley has had several British champions since the war, is dead and buried. “The options are as stark as that. “Since the Pirates came back, originally to the Lagoon in 1992 and then at Braehead since 2007, the support we have received from the local authoritie­s, indeed all local politician­s, has been nothing short of magnificen­t.

“Renfrew District Council helped get the Pirates up and running from 1992 at the Lagoon.

“Renfrewshi­re Council continued on with that support from 1996 and have never faltered in their backing to the present day.”

“They were instrument­al in 2007 in helping us gain access to Braehead Arena when the Lagoon’s ice surface made our activities impossible.

“Once again, in our hour of need, they have stepped up to the plate to give local clubs like ourselves and the Clan the help which they so desperatel­y need right now.

“Certainly, it’s a worrying time for us all, but it makes a difference to know that the council and, indeed, local politician­s at all political levels are fully behind the clubs.”

The Clan are currently bidding to become the new operators of Braehead Arena following the collapse of intu Braehead Leisure last year.

Turley believes every ice hockey fan in Renfrewshi­re can continue to help the cause by getting in touch with their local elected members.

She added: “We know that a number of elected members have come to games and are real supporters of the sport who appreciate the value of it to local residents.

“They understand the importance of having local teams who they can relate to.

“We sincerely hope that all the hard work that everyone is doing right now gets it’s just reward very soon.

“In the meantime, we ask that all supporters continue to make contact with their elected members and let them know just what the Pirates and the Clan mean to them.”

It’s a worrying time for us all, but it makes a difference to know that the council ... are fully behind the clubs Jackie Turley

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Paisley Pirates’ Jackie Turley
Pivotal point Paisley Pirates’ Jackie Turley

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