Preparations are well underway at Dumfries Ice Bowl as it welcomes the Trophy D’Ecosse Synchronised Skating Championships this weekend. The Council run facility is hosting the event for the fourth consecutive year, and work is taking place this week to transform the rink into an international skating theatre for the weekend. The event runs from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 February.
Staff are working around the clock to build platforms, move rink netting and transform the Curling Lounge into changing areas for the 3 day event. Over 40 teams are scheduled to attend, so the preparation work that goes into hosting an international event such as the Trophy D’Ecosse is vital to the overall success of the event.
Chairman of Community and Customer Services Committee Councillor Tom McAughtrie spoke ahead of the event;
“Events such as this do not happen by themselves. Staff working at the Ice Bowl, alongside all our other Council facilities are dedicated in their roles. The transformation from an ice hockey pad and public skating area to an international skating arena needs to happen almost overnight due to the popularity of the facility. This transformation is largely due to the meticulous planning and superb work of our Council’s staff. I have every confidence the event will be a success and wish all competitors good luck – they’re in good hands.”
This is one of many international ice sports events that Dumfries Ice Bowl plays host to. In the past few years the facility in King Street in the town has held Wold Championship Ice Hockey at junior and women’s levels. As well as this, the curling pad has been treated to world class action. In March last year, the Ice Bowl held the World Seniors and Mixed Curling Championships. On top of this, the Trophy D’Ecosse has taken place on Council ice since 2012. There are more events planned too, with Women’s World Championship Ice Hockey set to return next month.
Councillor Colin Smyth, the Council’s Events Champion commented;
“Our Council is leading the way in regards to holding major events. We have a 4 year events strategy in place and we are committed to putting on world class events in our region. It helps build the economy, which is a key priority for Dumfries and Galloway Council. On top of this, it gives residents of our region the chance to watch world class sport on their doorstep, and inspire the next generation of sports stars. Ice sports in particular seem to bring out the best in our people, with gold medal curlers and Great Britain capped Ice hockey players coming from Dumfries and Galloway. We have lots of local interest in the Trophy D’Ecosse this year so you never know, we may see someone from Dumfries and Galloway skating at a future Winter Olympics.”
Teams will be travelling from as far as Canada to compete for the prestigious prizes on offer this weekend. There are 11 categories to be skated for throughout the weekend and action on the ice starts at 9am on Friday morning, culminating with the presentations at 4pm on the Sunday. Details of the full programme can be found in the official programme which can be purchased from Dumfries Ice Bowl. Further details are available via the Trophy D’Ecosse website at http://trophydecosse.co.uk/
