A Scottish ice hockey team has been banned from taking part in at a council-owned ice rink in a dispute over funds.
The Dumfries senior males’s aspect, the Solway Sharks, performs its video games in the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) on the city’s Ice Bowl.
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However, Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC) stated it had proven “considerable patience” with DJR Sport Ltd – which runs the team – however it had now determined to hunt restoration of a debt of greater than £65,000 by the courts.
An announcement from Solway Sharks stated the membership had operated with out entry to “key revenue streams” all through final season and had lodged a criticism with the council about its dealing with of the state of affairs.
The Ice Bowl has undergone a multi-million pound improve in the previous yr [BBC]
The Solway Sharks play in the second tier of the game in the UK – and are the one Scottish aspect in the game.
Their closest away sport is in Leeds – about 160 miles (260km) away from Dumfries.
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Home video games on the Ice Bowl – which they name the Shark Tank – have proved standard with supporters with massive crowds in attendance.
The facility was shut in May final yr to bear a multi-million pound overhaul to enhance its “sustainability and efficiency”.
A council assertion put out on Wednesday night stated DJR Sport Ltd had defaulted on an agreed cost plan and owed simply over £65,000.
“We have shown considerable patience over an extended period,” it stated.
“We have agreed to revised payments and made repeated efforts to resolve the matter.
“Despite giving assurances, the corporate has once more failed to fulfill agreed commitments, which represents a cloth breach of contract.”
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It added it had taken the decision to pursue recovery of the debt in court.
“We won’t be getting into into any settlement with DJR Sport Ltd for ice hockey in future years,” the statement said.
“Other than agreeing uplift of apparatus, the corporate may have no additional entry to the council’s Dumfries Ice Bowl facility.
“Although we are proud to support local sport across the region, we have a clear responsibility to safeguard public funds. That duty must take precedence here.”
The dispute solely issues the senior males’s team – run by DJR Sport – not the Solway Sharks youth and Scottish National League sides.
The Solway Sharks’ video games in the Shark Tank appeal to massive crowds [BBC]
An announcement from Solway Sharks stated it was “extremely disappointed” with the council assertion which introduced solely “part of the picture”.
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“The reality is that throughout the 2025–26 season the club operated without access to key revenue streams, including the complete loss of bar income, and endured a prolonged period without practice ice at the start of the season,” it stated.
“Despite this, the club has continued to operate in good faith and has paid over £89,000 to the council under the current arrangement.
“We have persistently sought a constructive and reasonable dialogue to resolve the place, considering what has really occurred during the last season.”
‘Refunded in full’
It said it had now lodged a formal complaint about the council’s handling of the situation.
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“Our precedence stays discovering a sustainable manner ahead that permits the Solway Sharks to proceed working for the good thing about the area people,” it added.
“For readability, ought to a viable settlement not be reached, all sponsorship and season ticket funds shall be refunded in full.”
In the letter of complaint submitted to the council – seen by BBC Scotland – the club operators have criticised the handling of the contractual agreement, with regards to a change in operational facilities and a breakdown in communications relating to the financial challenges.