The dedicated curling rink seeks community support to overcome financial challenges.
Topics covered
Curl Aberdeen, the only dedicated curling rink in the city, is confronting its most significant challenge in two decades. With energy costs soaring and membership numbers plummeting, the club is launching a desperate appeal to raise £160,000 within a month to avoid potential closure and ensure its survival into the next season.
Financial pressures mount for Curl Aberdeen
The club, located off Lang Stracht, has seen its annual energy bill nearly double to over £120,000, a figure that has become unsustainable. Chairman Graham Russell described the current situation as “a perfect storm” of financial pressures, exacerbated by the loss of approximately one-third of its membership—around 200 curlers—since the onset of the Covid pandemic.
“It’s ironic that in our 20th anniversary year, we’re facing an existential threat to our future,” Russell stated. The pandemic has fundamentally altered social interactions, and the club has struggled to regain its previous membership levels. Despite efforts to remain accessible and affordable, these very initiatives have left the club financially vulnerable.
Community support as the only option
In a heartfelt letter to members, Russell revealed that Curl Aberdeen’s savings have been “completely eroded.” With traditional borrowing options unavailable due to restrictions imposed by Aberdeen City Council, the club is left with no choice but to seek direct support from its members. “If you want the finest curling rink in Scotland to survive, all members and staff need to assist,” he urged.
The funds raised will not only keep the rink operational through the next curling season but will also facilitate essential upgrades. Of the £160,000 target, £75,000 is allocated for replacing the club’s aging ice plant with a more energy-efficient system, a crucial step in addressing the escalating energy costs that threaten the club’s financial stability.
Looking to the future: Engaging younger players
The current crisis has served as a wake-up call for Curl Aberdeen. Russell acknowledged the need to attract younger players, stating, “We haven’t done enough to bring in young players, and now our average age is too high. That has to change.” The club is developing a pathway program aimed at converting casual interest into regular participation, hoping to engage the 200 individuals who tried curling last year.
Inspiration is drawn from the club’s success stories, including two members currently competing as Olympians in Canada and world junior Olympian Ethan Brewster, who serves as a role model for aspiring curlers in Aberdeen. “That’s the future we want to build on,” Russell emphasized.
Reimagining operations for sustainability
As Curl Aberdeen navigates these turbulent waters, the club is committed to reimagining its operations. Russell admitted, “Mistakes have been made and now we are driven to correct them.” The club is focusing on improving energy efficiency and promoting its facilities, including conference spaces that could generate new revenue streams.
The appeal for funds will run through May, with the board set to review the outcome in early June. Russell stated, “Then we will decide if we are going to get enough support to go with the whole plan, or whether we’re going to have to restrict our plans, or whether we’re going to have to close the door.” The future of Curl Aberdeen hangs in the balance, and the community’s response will be pivotal in determining its fate.
