Curling in Belfast:

We had provided curling equipment to Dundonald Ice Bowl in Belfast and with their co-operation, had played a number of curling events there in previous years. However we have just been informed that no ice will be made available to us this season due to financial reasons, but they would review their position in future years - very disappointing as we had put considerable time and effort into supplying a business plan and had hoped to win support following the publicity provided by the British Olympic teams gold medal.

The Belfast Telegraph was very interested in the sport after the Olympics and launched a "Who wants to see Curling in Belfast?" campaign on 22nd February 2002. However there was a very low response.

Support from Castlereagh Borough Council has also disappeared despite previous indications and the efforts of the ICA.

The Belfast Ice Warriors Ice Hockey team are involved in setting up a new ice rink at the prestigious Kings Hall Complex on Belfasts Lisburn Road. The facility hopes to open around June 2003 and will be the first Ice Dome in UK & Ireland as well as the largest in both islands. The Belfast Ice Warriors hope to set up a schools programme and put out a "healthy drug awareness and sport for all message in a sectarian free environment". The ICA hope to be offered some regular ice on to help establish local Irish curling.

Curling in Dublin:

A Dublin City on Ice event at Smithfield, is being planned and a request has been made to include some curling events.

The "Bertie's Bowl" sporting complex in Abbotstown is still at the planning stages. We have been keeping in touch with the Irish Ice Hockey Association who are working on financing proposals. There is hope the complex will include a practice ice rink, which would allow us to introduce curling at this facility. If the development goes ahead, it will not be completed for 3 to 4 years.

The Irish Ice Hockey Association are hoping to establish an ice rink in Dublin by April 2003. They will be using the equipment from Coleraine Ice Rink and a temporary structure, but a site has yet to be established. We hope to curl there by Autumn 2003.

ICA Recognition

We are still working on recognition within the various curling and sporting bodies, however our setback with curling in Ireland has not helped matters.