Wednesday 28 July 2010

Season 2010 - 2011 Update

Work continues at a pace as we frantically prepare for the new season.

The builders are in knocking down walls and building new ones to accomodate new office space and a new lounge. The decorators will follow.

Ice bookings will be issued shortly. We are slightly later than in previous years but as you know we decided to seek comments and work hard on the allocations this year to best accomodate club requests and this has created a great deal more work re-allocating ice.

We have also been working hard with the Ice Skating Club with a view to working more efficiently between the curling and ice skating and this has also required a number of changes to be made from the normal practices.

As I say we hope to have bookings out to club secretaries within the next week.

Steve has recently returned from a week's long ice makers course at Fussen in Germany run by the WCF Ice Technician teams. Having returned with many ideas and additional knowledge Steve says the course was excellent and that can only help ensure Forfar's Ice is some of the best in the country.

The stones are currently away to Kays of Scotland being refurbished (both the running and striking band) and we look forward to testing them on the new ice as soon as it is laid.

As I am sure most will have heard we are delighted to be employing a new full time Curling Officer for next season. Jill Macdonald has been appointed and starts work on 16th August. With a brief to develop curling at all levels, assisting clubs to secure new members, and develop the business aspects of the game Jill will have work cut out but I am certain she will be up for the challenges that lie ahead.

Finally on the competition front the Forfar Open is going ahead on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th October 2010. We are still looking for a few rinks so if you fancy an early season competitive competition please pass your name on to Aileen as soon as possible.

The come and try sessions will be held on Sunday 10th October so please feel free to let your members know and try and get new curlers along for the days events. It starts at 10am on the 10th day of the 10th month, 2010 not easy to forget. To book a place contact Aileen on aileen@forfarindoorsports.co.uk

The following weekend sees the Scottish Womens Mini Tour taking over the rink with ten of the top teams from around the country and beyond coming to Forfar. We are delighted to be given the chance to host this competition this year along with the Scottish Schools Finals, Scottish Seniors Qualifiers, Scottish WRI finals and others.

We have also arranged an inter ice rink match between Aberdeen and Forfar Ice Rinks with a home and away game in the season to decide the winner. The game will be open to all members and should be great opportunity for different club members to get together to play as one team from the club. Adults, Juniors, Ladies or Men can put their names down and travel will be arranged. Lists will be up on the ice rink notice boards for the start of the season.

The new web-site has been delayed but should be up shortly. We are trying to make it a real benefit to members and it is taking a bit longer than expected to be up and live but we are pressing on with it.

That is probably enough for now but watch this space as we really start to build towards the new season.

As always if anyone has any comment or observations please do not hesitate to contact me on mike@forfarindoorsports.co.uk

Thursday 1 July 2010

All Quiet...... but watch this space.

The Doors Are Closed - But Still A Lot Going On...

I trust everyone is enjoying the summer and this excellent weather we have at present. It is a while since the last post so I thought it about time we brought everyone up to date with events that have been happening since the centre closed for the summer.

Whilst there isn't the usual throng of bodies going around the centre it is business as usual as we prepare for the new season. We promised several innovations and this is indeed what is happening.

  • Steve is currently away in Fussen, Germany on the WCF Ice Makers Course. After a week long course with instruction from the top ice makers in the world you can't but pick up tips and tricks which I am sure will benefit our ice in Forfar.
  • All 112 stones are away to Kays of Scotland getting reprofiled to bring them up to modern day standards. With both the Running Edge and the Striking Band being reprofiled we can fully expect good swing come the new season.
  • Plans have been drawn up and building warrants passed for several internal alterations to assit the general administration and development of the centre. With a new Corporate Lounge and reception areas we are looking forward to the inclusion of several new services in the new season.
  • Interviews are being held next week for the new post of Forfar Curling Officer. With several high quality candidates applied for the post we are certain we will find a keen and enthused individual to help develop curling in the Angus area.
  • The new all singing and dancing web-site is coming on well and should be up live in the next week or so.
  • With the country struggling to work it's way out of recession budgets remain tight however we do intend to freshen up as much of the building as we can to try and enhance the overall atmosphere for all members. 
  • We are delighted to announce we have secured a number of top quality national competitions to the ice rink for the coming season. Forfar will, this year host The RCCC Scottish Schools National Finals, The RCCC Scottish Womens Mini Tour, The Scottish WRI National Finals, The RCCC Under-17's Grand Slam. Exciting times indeed and it will be great to see so much national competition coming to Forfar, and I should say a boost for the area with accomodation, etc
  • Finally, we are trying to re-establish the Forfar Open to be held on Thursday 7th to Saturday 9th October 2010. We have already secured entries from as far afield as Inverness and Ayr. Ideally we can push the entry up to 16 teams so if you haven't entered please do so in order that we can make our final plans. Simply send an e-mail to admin@forfarindoorsports.co.uk indicating your intention to participate. It will be great to see this competition up and running again. 
That is it for now I think. If you want any further information or have any suggestions for the coming season please do not hesitate to contact me at mike@forfarindoorsports.co.uk .

Best wishes


Mike S. Ferguson
Managing Director