Council bans ice hockey team from rink in financial dispute

A Scottish ice hockey team has been banned from playing at a council-owned ice rink in a dispute over payments.

The Dumfries senior men's side, the Solway Sharks, plays its games in the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) at the town's Ice Bowl.

However, Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC) said it had shown "considerable patience" with DJR Sport Ltd - which runs the team - but it had now decided to seek recovery of a debt of more than £65,000 through the courts.

A statement from Solway Sharks said the club had operated without access to "key revenue streams" throughout last season and had lodged a complaint with the council about its handling of the situation.

The Solway Sharks play in the second tier of the sport in the UK - and are the only Scottish side in the sport.

Their closest away game is in Leeds - about 160 miles (260km) away from Dumfries.

Home games at the Ice Bowl - which they call the Shark Tank - have proved popular with supporters with big crowds in attendance.

The facility was shut in May last year to undergo a multi-million pound overhaul to improve its "sustainability and efficiency".

A council statement put out on Wednesday evening said DJR Sport Ltd had defaulted on an agreed payment plan and owed just over £65,000.

"We have shown considerable patience over an extended period," it said.

"We have agreed to revised payments and made repeated efforts to resolve the matter.

"Despite giving assurances, the company has again failed to meet agreed commitments, which represents a material breach of contract."

It added it had taken the decision to pursue recovery of the debt in court.

"We will not be entering into any agreement with DJR Sport Ltd for ice hockey in future years," the statement said.

"Other than agreeing uplift of equipment, the company will have no further access 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 only concerns the senior men's team - run by DJR Sport - not the Solway Sharks youth and Scottish National League sides.

If another operator stepped in to run the NIHL team then it could potentially continue to use the Ice Bowl.

A statement from Solway Sharks said it was "extremely disappointed" with the council statement which presented only "part of the picture".

"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 said.

"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 consistently sought a constructive and realistic discussion to resolve the position, taking into account what has actually occurred over the last season."

It said it had now lodged a formal complaint about the council's handling of the situation.

"Our priority remains finding a sustainable way forward that allows the Solway Sharks to continue operating for the benefit of the local community," it added.

"For clarity, should a viable agreement not be reached, all sponsorship and season ticket funds will 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.

Owen Blackstock, who chairs the Solway Sharks Supporters Club, said he hoped a solution could be found.

"The council have not said that the Solway Sharks will not be allowed to play there but they'll not be allowed to play there under that current ownership company," he said.

"There needs to be some sort of clarity on that and I think it is worrying a lot of fans including myself that the future is in doubt there.

"The future is in doubt under that current ownership group - what is in place for the future, I don't know, but hopefully something is.

"The council don't want to lose a big sports team out the region, I think that is common knowledge for everybody, so it is just how it goes forward after that."