Curling enthusiasts are once again rallying to protect one of Scotland’s most cherished curling facilities—the Dewars Centre in Perth. This iconic venue, known for its rich history and significance to the sport, is facing another critical juncture as the local city council considers a decision that could jeopardize its future.
Months after narrowly escaping closure, Dewars Centre is under threat yet again. The facility, which has been pivotal for Scotland’s curling community and was notably the training ground for celebrated curler Eve Muirhead, might still be at risk of being shut down. According to Scottish Curling, losing Dewars Centre would be a “cataclysmic” blow to the sport in the region.
A recent report presented to the council highlighted the advantages of a multipurpose arena that could serve various sports including skating and hockey. However, Muirhead, who serves on the Dewars Centre board and writes for The Courier, criticized the report for its excessive focus on curling. She has proposed a Community Asset Transfer to ensure the facility remains under the control of the curling community.
The curling community is mobilizing once more to influence the council’s decision. An urgent email from local stakeholders has called on curlers to advocate against a proposed PH2O project, which lacks provisions for ice facilities and leisure swimming. This email also notes that curlers have been excluded from discussions after three months of consultations.
Dewars Centre is not only a home to 500 curling clubs and over 700 curlers, but it also plays a crucial role in youth development. Out of 1,373 children who participated in the “Curling’s Cool” program, over 95% are currently enrolled in state schools within Perth and Kinross. The call to action emphasizes the need for proactive solutions, suggesting that a new energy-efficient building costing £13 million would be more economical in the long run compared to reactive maintenance projected to cost £56 million over 25 years.
As Perth & Kinross Council prepares to vote on the future of Dewars Centre, the irony of the situation deepens. The World Curling offices, which could potentially support Muirhead’s Community Asset Transfer solution, will be largely vacant during the vote, as the organization is holding its annual Congress in Montreal.