Latest news with #Elgin
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Elgin ice rink permanent closure move made temporary
Plans to permanently shut the Elgin ice rink have been replaced by a temporary Board of Moray Leisure Centre said it had "worked constructively" with a range of groups and individuals since announcing plans to close the ice rink for good from 4 said that as a result of "ongoing discussions" it had decided to make the closure temporary until 5 said that would allow for a "more detailed, solution-focused process to take place". The closure was announced earlier this month in the face of "spiralling" energy board of Moray Leisure Centre said it had concluded its ice rink was "no longer financially viable"."However, in response to the strength of feeling from the community and the constructive dialogue that followed, new potential opportunities and partnerships have emerged," it said in its latest said the temporary closure would make "immediate energy savings" and also allow time to "explore all potential options for recovery and reinvestment".The aim would be to "provide a sustainable future for the ice rink within this financial year and beyond". 'Challenging period' The statement added: "This will be an incredible challenging period, as future plans must be both credible and achievable."The long-term future of the ice rink remains uncertain until a new financial and operational model can be developed."The board remains fully committed to working with key stakeholders to find solutions to both immediate and long-term challenges."It said a sustainable future could only be achieved if everyone worked together over the next four to eight intends to set up a working group to take forward efforts to find a "viable solution".The board said it remained committed to supporting and protecting staff affected by the temporary closure.
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Scottish Curling says there was 'no sign' of Elgin rink closure
The national governing body for the sport of curling has said the closure of the Elgin ice rink has come as a "shock" for Curling said it only found out about the move on Monday afternoon after Moray Council confirmed the closure would take place on 4 August. The board for Moray Leisure Centre said "spiralling energy costs" had made it difficult to continue operating the rink. Scottish Curling chief executive Vincent Bryson told BBC Scotland: "No one knew anything. There's a feeling of surprise, shock and anger." He said more than 200 people in the Elgin curling community would be affected along with even more who play different ice sports. He added that there was a community movement building and a petition online has started, with thousands of signatures already.A protest was also staged outside the rink on Bryson said: "There was no sign that any closure was coming."He said communication with managers at the site had been healthy over the past few months and there was no suggestion that it was at Scottish Curling said the leisure centre board announced the closure without further discussion with key participants. Mr Bryson said: "More has to be done on the consultation side of things".Moray Council issued a statement and said the closure was a "difficult decision" for the board to make but rising energy costs made it an "understandable measure".The board of Moray Leisure Centre said it had concluded its ice rink was "no longer financially viable".A statement added: "Moray Leisure Centre has seen its energy costs double, and the board have had to review the full operation at Moray Leisure Centre."The board have made a decision to close the area which generates the least amount of income and consumes the most energy, which is the ice rink."The board said the cost of running the ice rink threatened the financial sustainability of the whole leisure centre. Curling may be 'under threat' Many of Scotland's ice rinks are facing difficulties after increasing energy prices have made it hard to break even, Mr Bryson said."There's difficulties to avoid closure and it's a credit to the people who own and operate those rinks," he ice rink closed its doors in September 2023 due to unprecedented hikes in the cost of gas and electricity. Ice rinks in Inverness and Aberdeen have also been reportedly struggling to stay open previously but they have managed to avoid Curling said those ice rinks had been able to find solutions to continue operating but those were short-term. Mr Bryson said issues across the globe could have a knock-on effect on energy costs which were seen weeks or months said: "Conflicts happening directly impact the energy. It's a really volatile market."He said Scottish Curling would work to help avoid further closures but might need assistance from other stakeholders and energy firms to secure the future of the nation's ice rinks.
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
East Kilbride v Inverness: Kilby reaching last 16 of cup would be remarkable, says boss
Kilby sit top of Group F and have a chance of reaching the knockout stages if they see off the Caley Jags tonight Mick Kennedy reckons it would be a remarkable achievement for SPFL newcomers East Kilbride to qualify for the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup. The Kilby boss has seen his side stun Championship side Raith Rovers 4-2 and sink League Two rivals Elgin City 4-1, having taken the lead in a 3-1 defeat to St Johnstone in their group opener. Now Group F table-toppers EK welcome League One Inverness Caledonian Thistle to K-Park in the final game of their group campaign, knowing a win would see them finish on nine points. That would give them the chance of finishing as one of the best runners-up to reach the knockout stages, with group favourites St Johnstone holding a game in hand this coming Saturday. And Kennedy said: 'We've set everything up now to potentially finish a good second place in the group after Tuesday. 'We've given ourselves a real opportunity to do that against Inverness, but I think everyone is well aware of the test we face. There's been a big turnaround up there in the summer and the recruitment Inverness have done, so it is going to be a really difficult game for us. 'It would be a remarkable achievement for the club to qualify. If you look at the group we are in, there are three full-time clubs in it. 'The group is really strong and it would be a great effort from the boys to finish second and then see what happens.' On Saturday, Kilby backed up a stunning win in Kirkcaldy last Tuesday night – where John Robertson struck a five-minute hat-trick in the dying minutes to overturn a 2-01 deficit - to thump Elgin 4-1. Jack Leitch bagged a brace, while Nathan Flanagan and Robertson were also on target, and Kennedy heaped praise on their two victories. He said: 'Against Raith Rovers we had 60 per cent possession and anybody who watched the game would see that Raith's chances were down to us making mistakes rather than Raith punishing us from open play. 'Over the piece, we dominated large parts and I always felt we were in the game, even at 2-1 down. We are never the kind of team to sit in, so we always have attacking intent and we just went for it and got our rewards. 'On Saturday I was delighted as well. We had 22 efforts at goal in Elgin and the boys were in fine form. We are in a good place. 'If we get to the levels we know we are capable of, I think we will be a really competitive team in the league. 'Sometimes travelling long distances can have an impact on performances, but we were terrific from the get-go. 'There were spells either side of half-time where Elgin looked more dangerous in the game, but over the piece I don't think anyone can deny we deserved to win the game. 'We would have scored a few more if it wasn't for Elgin's goalkeeper.' Kennedy admits he has been blown away by the strides his side have made in the group, with the competition serving as their pre-season. He added: 'The boys have been in fine form. We were good for large parts against St Johnstone as well, to be fair. 'Since I have been at the club, our record has been fairly impressive when it has come to playing teams above us. 'I'm delighted with the performances, the results in the last two games and the levels we've managed to get to already, especially when you consider we've had to use this as pre-season because we came back a bit later due to the [promotion] play-offs. 'We've produced these performances despite missing Jamie Hamilton, Cami Elliott, Joao Balde and Jordan McGregor - all key players last season - through injury, so it shows the strength we've managed to build in the group.'
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Elgin City v East Kilbride
Update: Date: 90'+2 Title: Post Content: Match ends, Elgin City 1, East Kilbride 4. Update: Date: 90'+2 Title: Full Time Content: Second Half ends, Elgin City 1, East Kilbride 4. Update: Date: 90'+1 Title: Post Content: Fourth official has announced 1 minutes of added time. Update: Date: 90'+1 Title: Post Content: Attempt missed. Dylan Gavin (Elgin City) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high following a set piece situation. Update: Date: 90' Title: Post Content: Foul by Erik Sula (East Kilbride). Update: Date: 90' Title: Post Content: Josh O'Connor (Elgin City) wins a free kick on the right wing. Update: Date: 89' Title: Post Content: Reegan Mimnaugh (East Kilbride) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Update: Date: 89' Title: Post Content: Foul by Dylan Gavin (Elgin City). Update: Date: 87' Title: Post Content: Foul by David Ferguson (East Kilbride). Update: Date: 87' Title: Post Content: Dylan Gavin (Elgin City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Update: Date: 86' Title: Substitution Content: Substitution, East Kilbride. Trialist 22 replaces Jack Leitch. Update: Date: 81' Title: Post Content: Attempt blocked. Keir Foster (East Kilbride) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Update: Date: 80' Title: Post Content: Foul by Jack Leitch (East Kilbride). Update: Date: 80' Title: Post Content: Brian Cameron (Elgin City) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Update: Date: 79' Title: Post Content: Corner,East Kilbride. Conceded by Tom Ritchie. Update: Date: 79' Title: Post Content: Attempt saved. Reegan Mimnaugh (East Kilbride) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Tom Ritchie (Elgin City). Update: Date: 79' Title: Post Content: Corner,East Kilbride. Conceded by Noah McDonnell. Update: Date: 78' Title: Substitution Content: Substitution, East Kilbride. Erik Sula replaces Lewis Spence. Update: Date: 77' Title: Post Content: John Robertson (East Kilbride) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Update: Date: 77' Title: Post Content: Foul by Dylan Ross (Elgin City).
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Chicago suburb finds elevated lead levels in water; city announces free filters, water line replacements
The Brief Recent testing in Elgin found elevated lead levels in drinking water at nearly half of the high-risk homes sampled, mostly due to aging lead service lines. The city is launching a $150 million effort to replace every lead line at no cost to residents and is offering free water filters and testing. Officials urge residents to flush faucets before use and check the city's online dashboard to see if their home may be affected. ELGIN, Ill. - Recent water testing in Elgin found elevated lead levels in drinking water in nearly half of the homes and buildings most at risk, city officials announced Tuesday. By the numbers Routine monitoring earlier this year showed that 48 out of 100 tested homes and buildings — primarily those built before 1988 with lead service lines — had lead levels above the federal action level of 15 parts per billion. The 90th percentile value of the samples reached 43 parts per billion. City officials stressed that lead is not found in Elgin's source water or in treated water from the city's plants; rather, it comes from corrosion in lead service lines or plumbing fixtures connecting homes to the water system. The city now uses a more stringent "fifth liter" sampling method to better measure lead in those service lines, which is likely why levels appeared higher. The city's response Elgin is launching a multi-year, $150 million effort to replace every lead service line in the city at no cost to homeowners. The city is currently replacing about 1,000 lead lines a year, with roughly 2,790 lines replaced since 2018. Other measures include offering free water filters and lead testing for residents in homes built before 1988, expanding community education, and partnering with local health departments to prevent exposure. The city also maintains an online dashboard where residents can check if their property has a lead service line and track replacement progress. Officials recommend residents flush faucets for at least five minutes before drinking or cooking, especially after water has been sitting unused. Lead exposure can cause serious health risks, particularly for young children and pregnant women, including developmental delays and damage to the brain and kidneys. What you can do Residents can learn more or request free filters and water tests at or by calling 311. The Source The information in this report came from the City of Elgin.
