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Recent releases
Dumfries Ice Bowl is set to play host to four world class ice events in the next six months, as some of the world’s best curlers, skaters and ice hockey players come to Dumfries.
The council run facility, which recently celebrated 30 years since it first opened its doors earlier this year, is no stranger to hosting world class events, having hosted several ice sport national and international championships over the last few years.
First up from 2 to 7 December is the World Curling Federation - World Mixed Doubles Qualification event, which will see mixed double pairs from all over the world come to compete in nearly a week of competitive action.
The facility will draw breath and then host the 2023 International Skating Union - Trophy D’Ecosse Synchronised Skating Competition 16 to 18 December. This event is long established with the Ice Bowl and many of the clubs and individuals have been competing on our ice for a number of years and it is great to welcome them back.
Action moves onto skates of a different kind for a week in January, as from 20 to 27 January, the International Ice Hockey Federation U18 Women's World Championship Division 2A takes place. These events are usually well supported by local ice hockey enthusiasts as well as local schools who like to come along to cheer on the players.
The ice will be flipped and the following week the facility plays host to the Scottish Curling Championships, from 4 to 11 February 2023. The event took place at the Ice Bowl last year and was a big success and is returning for a second year.
The final planned event is the World Curling Federation - European Curling Championships C-Division from 29 April to 6 May. Whilst May can be warm and sunny outdoors, the curlers competing in this event will need to be ice-cold under pressure if they wish to take home the title.
Communities Committee Chairman, Cllr Archie Dryburgh spoke of his admiration of our partners ahead of these events. He said:
“We could not play host to all these wonderful events without the support of our local, national and international partners. It’s been great to meet representatives from some of our partners today and really appreciate how much time and effort they put into the operational and strategic elements of hosting and running events like the one’s coming here, to our Council run Dumfries Ice Bowl.!
Communities Committee Vice Chair, Cllr John Campbell commented on the economic benefit these events will bring to the area. He said:
“Clearly it is great to bring world class sport to the door of locals in Dumfries and Galloway, but we cannot get away from the excellent economic benefits that these events will bring. Competitors, officials and volunteers will be staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants, drinking on our coffee shops and buying souvenirs in our shops and this is wonderful for the region as a whole.”
