New era for Scaladale as ice rink gets its skates off

Enjoying the Ice (J Martin)

This Christmas season will be the final outing for the current Scaladale ice rink, which is due to be retired at the end of the winter.

The plastic rink is set up in the outdoor centre’s barn at Ardvourlie, at the end of each Autumn. It is the only one in the Western Isles and has been a popular festive attraction with families, schools and youth groups from across Lewis and Harris for over a decade.

However, after several years of use, the rink and skates are suffering from wear and tear, so this year will be the last of the attraction in its current form.

“Our ice rink is coming to the end of its time,” said Tom Thorpe, Scaladale Centre Manager. “It is still safe and functional, but it is the right decision to retire it now. We hope to be able to introduce a new set-up, with new skates and composite ice from Switzerland, but we will need to fundraise thousands to do that.”

Skating penguins: a Scaladale favourite

The ice rink at Scaladale was grant funded when it opened 12 years ago. Since then, it has been the focus of birthday and Christmas parties, ice hockey nights and social get-togethers. Sessions on the ice have been followed by arts and crafts workshops, movie nights, pizzas and hot chocolates.

The ice rink has also been a key source of income for the centre, whose main aim is to provide exciting programmes for local young people. “I've delivered many sessions over the last two years, and hundreds of people have had the best time," said Tom.

Plans for a new version of the ice rink will be part of a wider consultation about next steps for Scaladale, which is owned by the charity LHYCA (Lewis and Harris Youth Clubs Association). The centre offers hostel accommodation and a huge range of outdoor activities for local young people and visitors, from climbing, coasteering and kayaking to bushcraft.

While Scaladale continues to offer memorable and sus-tainable experiences that capture its unique setting, the building and its facilities are in need of investment and updating. A public meeting to discuss the future is due to take place in the new year. www.scaladale-centre.co.uk