THE future of the region’s only ice rink has been secured with a cash boost.

Thanks to a £75,000 grant from the Fallago Environment Fund, the Border Ice Rink, in Kelso – which was in urgent need of an upgrade – can now work towards reducing its energy costs and install ice-making systems in line with government regulations.

The venue, which is home to 24 curling clubs and a skating club, currently uses outdated equipment – some from as far back as 1985 – which has started to fail, including a non-environmentally friendly refrigeration system.

Border Ice Rink committee members, Peter Bowyer and David Mitchell said: “Replacing the existing ice-making machinery was vital to ensure the very existence of the Border Ice Rink so we’re extremely grateful to the Fallago Environment Fund for coming to our rescue when no other funding avenues could be found.

“The start of this year’s season has already been delayed due to problems with our current unreliable equipment, so the new plant will mean that in future we can provide a more efficient, effective and environmentally-friendly way to prepare the ice and enable Borders residents from across the region to enjoy curling and ice skating here for many years to come.”

Using the grant funding, the Border Ice Rink can now purchase an energy-efficient ice plant to enable it to abide by environmental protection rules, reduce its carbon footprint and energy costs, and to continue to provide an excellent facilities for curlers and ice skaters alike.

The Border Ice Rink first opened in 1964 and provides facilities for more than 350 curlers of all ages and abilities.

The site regularly welcomes curlers in wheelchairs, those who are partially sighted, and deaf sportspeople to take part in one of the most inclusive sports.

The rink has also helped curlers who have gone on to represent Scotland at various competition levels, including David Melrose, from Duns, who competed at the 2022 Beijing Paralympics, and Cameron Bryce, from the Roxburgh Curling Club, who led Team Scotland at the World Mixed Curling Championships in Aberdeen last month.

The Fallago Environment Fund, whose grant applications are administered by Borders environmental charity Tweed Forum, was able to award the ice rink the £75,000 grant as it shares the financial benefits from the Fallago Rig windfarm in the Lammermuir Hulls with projects and communities across the Borders.

Gareth Baird, chairman of the Fallago Environment Fund, said: “The Border Ice Rink has been an important sporting facility in the Scottish Borders for almost 60 years.

“Its role in developing and encouraging sporting participation across a large cross section of ages and abilities meant that the Fallago Environment Fund trustees were keen to do whatever we could to ensure that it remained open.

“We’re delighted that these windfarm-generated funds are helping to ensure a sustainable future for curling and skating in the Scottish Borders.”

For more information on the Fallago Environment Fund, visit: www.tweedforum.org/fallago or call Tweed Forum on 01896 849723.