Curling in Fife
The current situation of ice rink provision for curlers in Fife is felt to be inadequate for current and future requirements. The closest facility for many clubs in NE Fife being at Kirkcaldy, where the rink is 69 years old (built 1938) and the facilities and ice are poor and expensive. The rink concentrates on skating and hockey and the poor curling facilities provided has been a major factor in the significant decline in the rink’s use for curling.
The alternative ice rinks of Kinross, Perth, Dundee & Forfar would mean a minimum travel time of at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour for many clubs. There are also issues of not enough available ice at these rinks. This is felt to be unacceptable and would have a detrimental effect on participation and club membership.
Generally, curling in Scotland is growing in stature and demand. The RCCC are actively encouraging the development of the sport amongst schoolchildren whilst “come and try” days and beginner courses are attracting increasing numbers of Adults to the sport. Unfortunately this general picture of good health is NOT reflected in Fife where participation and club membership is decreasing at an alarming rate.
There are currently 1,287 curlers in 38 clubs within Fife and a further 424 curlers in 14 clubs within Kinrossshire. These members are split into the following areas: - East Fife Province – 396 members, Cupar Province – 325 members, West Fife Province – 566 members, Loch Leven Province – 424 members.
In 2005, concerned curlers worried about falling membership across Fife and the future development of the game, decided to examine the feasibility of building a new curling rink to service the needs of the Fife curling community. The groundwork for this study took almost 2 years and culminated in a series of meetings at the close of the 2006/07 curling season. The curling community were asked for their views on the construction of a new curling facility in the Fife area. There was wholehearted and full support for the provision of a new rink.
On April 24th 2007 the Fife Curling Centre Project Group was formed, with the remit of investigating and carrying out the following main objectives -
The project group of 20 people is made up of Civil Engineers, Architects, Property Developers, Company Directors, Local Businesspeople, and Accountants etc. Included on the group are a representative from the RCCC, Curling’s governing body and a representative from each curling province in Fife and Kinross. The people involved are experienced in their fields of work and are enthusiastic and committed to the project.
The project group has now been working since April and substantial progress has already been made.
The alternative ice rinks of Kinross, Perth, Dundee & Forfar would mean a minimum travel time of at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour for many clubs. There are also issues of not enough available ice at these rinks. This is felt to be unacceptable and would have a detrimental effect on participation and club membership.
Generally, curling in Scotland is growing in stature and demand. The RCCC are actively encouraging the development of the sport amongst schoolchildren whilst “come and try” days and beginner courses are attracting increasing numbers of Adults to the sport. Unfortunately this general picture of good health is NOT reflected in Fife where participation and club membership is decreasing at an alarming rate.
There are currently 1,287 curlers in 38 clubs within Fife and a further 424 curlers in 14 clubs within Kinrossshire. These members are split into the following areas: - East Fife Province – 396 members, Cupar Province – 325 members, West Fife Province – 566 members, Loch Leven Province – 424 members.
In 2005, concerned curlers worried about falling membership across Fife and the future development of the game, decided to examine the feasibility of building a new curling rink to service the needs of the Fife curling community. The groundwork for this study took almost 2 years and culminated in a series of meetings at the close of the 2006/07 curling season. The curling community were asked for their views on the construction of a new curling facility in the Fife area. There was wholehearted and full support for the provision of a new rink.
On April 24th 2007 the Fife Curling Centre Project Group was formed, with the remit of investigating and carrying out the following main objectives -
- The provision of first class facilities to enable the promotion and development of curling of all levels within the kingdom of Fife.
- The creation of an organisation to promote and develop curling and related activities within the Fife community through the construction and management of a dedicated curling facility.
The project group of 20 people is made up of Civil Engineers, Architects, Property Developers, Company Directors, Local Businesspeople, and Accountants etc. Included on the group are a representative from the RCCC, Curling’s governing body and a representative from each curling province in Fife and Kinross. The people involved are experienced in their fields of work and are enthusiastic and committed to the project.
The project group has now been working since April and substantial progress has already been made.
