11. ICE RINKS
Pollok Curling Club – steps to Indoor Curling from the Minute Book
12TH Octr 1906, AGM: “ The circular from Scottish Ice Rink Co was, after discussion, laid on the table.”
Monday 14th Octr 1907: “ The papers in connection with the formation of the Scottish Ice Rink at Crossmyloof which were laid on the table at the last annual meeting, were now dropped as the Ice Rink had been established.”
“Papers from the Ice Rink regarding several matches were submitted but it was decided to make no entries.”
4th March 1908: “ …intimated that owing to the fresh winter, the Grand Match, Provincial Match and match between Glasgow & Midlothian Provinces would now be arranged and played at Crossmyloof.” (the first signs of what would become a move towards total indoor curling!)
Pollok Curling Club – steps to Indoor Curling from the Minute Book
12TH Octr 1906, AGM: “ The circular from Scottish Ice Rink Co was, after discussion, laid on the table.”
Monday 14th Octr 1907: “ The papers in connection with the formation of the Scottish Ice Rink at Crossmyloof which were laid on the table at the last annual meeting, were now dropped as the Ice Rink had been established.”
“Papers from the Ice Rink regarding several matches were submitted but it was decided to make no entries.”
4th March 1908: “ …intimated that owing to the fresh winter, the Grand Match, Provincial Match and match between Glasgow & Midlothian Provinces would now be arranged and played at Crossmyloof.” (the first signs of what would become a move towards total indoor curling!)
The early ‘pristine’ facility at Crossmyloof which opened in 1929. This was the original skating, ice hockey and curling pad which latterly was notorious for mysterious ‘falling-out’ as stones were travelling up the rink, coupled with the interruptions in the latter days as bits of the old ceiling tiles broke off and fell to the sheets below. This photo shows the main rink as it was in the 1950’s
The whole facility closed in February 1986, and a fire destroyed the whole building in 1989. Thereafter the site became host to a Morrisons supermarket and carpark. |
An early photograph. Taken possibly shortly after the opening of the Ice Rink in 1907. Early skaters seemed to have taken to skating in a clockwise direction as well.
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Opened on 1st October 1907, the original Scottish Ice Rink on Titwood Road, Crossmyloof opposite what now is the St Andrews Honda garage. It shows the ‘top-end’ entrance, and later the dedicated curling rink extension was built on the ground that is now occupied by the Morrison’s car park.
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SIR seen from Platform 1 of Crossmyloof railway station. The old station buildings have long departed to make way for hundreds of commuters catching the morning train into the city.
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Crossmyloof remained as a store for the Beardmore company until it was purchased by Glasgow business man Jimmy Glasgow and opened in 1929 as the new Scottish Ice Rink, hosting skating, ice hockey and curling. A dedicated curling extension gave a further six rinks which were used purely for curling, with its own bar area and dining facility. A further smaller extension was built, but by the early 70’s was being used as a storeroom for non-curling paraphernalia.
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At the AGM on 28th April 1978, there is mention in the Treasurer’s report of the following: “AT the start of the Season, the Secretary had been critical of certain aspects in the running of the Crossmyloof Ice Rink, in front of a member of the staff, in the mistaken belief that it was a privileged occasion. His remarks were repeated to Mr James Glasgow who thereupon cancelled all Pollok’s ice for the Season, and it was only after payment of the arrears of subscription to the S.I.R. of all members coupled with a letter of apology that the ice allocation was restored.”
At the AGM on 17th April 1979, it was noted that, “…so far as a matter of general interest was concerned, new rinks at Stirling, Drymen and Howwood are under construction, but it is not felt that they will be of any help to the Club in carrying though its usual programme.”
24th April 1981: AGM – “,… No changes are envisaged at Crossmyloof for next season. Mr Glasgow , we are told, is installing a six-foot closed circuit television screen in the Bar. No mention of any effort being made to improve the ice, which as you all know, was as bad as ever.”
“A Committee Meeting was called in April 1985 to action the request from the Scottish Ice Rink at Crossmyloof to lodge the Club’s application for ice for the Season 1985/86 no later than 12th April. This was giving the Club only one week before the Club’s AGM when the year’s programme was arranged and therefore the required amount of ice fixed. Normally this request would not be made until July but it had been occasioned by the proposed opening of a new curling rink at Finnieston and it was obvious they were anxious to get clubs to commit themselves for the new season. Without waiting for the AGM to get the members approval to the amount of ice required it was decided to apply for ice at Crossmyloof for 8 rinks in each league instead of 7 rinks and not apply for ice for the Tankard Bonspiel and the games against Bridge of Allan and Clarkston as hopefully these games would be played for on the new rink at Finnieston which was due to open in January 1986 and to show interest in this new project was important.”
“At the AGM the Members approved the decision reached at the Committee Meeting and to pay the requested booking fee of £20 which covered the period from when the rink opened to the end of season 1986/87.”
“Individual Membership was £30 and it was left to members to make their own arrangements regarding this.”
“At the AGM in April 1986 the Secretary reported that a full programme of games and matches had been completed. This was despite the trouble at Crossmyloof where the roof over the skating rink had become dangerous necessitating the closing down of that part of the complex and the loss of seven sheets of ice. Extra ice was obtained at the Summit Centre. The split with Crossmyloof was not made without some acrimonious exchanges being made with the management but on the whole went off quite smoothly.”
6th April 1984: AGM – As you are all well aware, there is still no improvement in the ice or facilities. I cannot see any change for the better under the present management, and our only hope is that the rinks proposed at St Enoch Square and East Kilbride will become a reality.”
2nd April 1985: Committee Meeting. “A request had been received from the Scottish Ice Rink Company to lodge the Club’s application for ice for season 1985/86 no later than 12th April. The haste on the part of the S.I.R, ice applications were not as a rule requested much before July had been occasioned by the proposed opening of a new curling rink at Finnieston and it was obvious that they were anxious to get clubs to commit themselves for the new season.”
“With three new members, we should apply for 8 rinks in each (Club) league instead of 7. Also, we would not apply for ice for the Tankard Bonspiel, the games against Bridge of Allan and Clarkston as these games would hopefully be played on the new rink at Finnieston which was due to open in January 1986, and to show interest in the new project was important.”
“The ice at Crossmyloof seems to have been marginally better but the facilities show no improvement, and it remains to be seen if the new rink to be built at Finnieston will spur them into some action.”
“…On a show of hands, the majority voted in favour of the Club paying the £20 Ice Booking Fee requested by Finnieston. Individual membership was £30 and it was left to individual members to make their own arrangements regarding this.”
18th April 1986: AGM – “… a full program (of matches) had been completed in spite of the trouble at Crossmyloof when the roof over the skating rink had become dangerous necessitating the closing down of that part of the complex and the loss of seven sheets of ice. We managed to obtain ice at the Summit Centre for all the games in the second half of the season. The split from Crossmyloof was not made without some acrimonious exchanges being made with the management…but on the whole went off quite smoothly.”
24th April 1987: AGM – “ The ice at the Summit Centre after a poor start has steadily improved, and while by no means perfect yet, I think we can look forward to very good curling conditions in the future as the management seem to have our interests at heart.”
19th April 1991: AGM – Our Competition highlight was Harry Levick and his rink winning the Summit Centre Rink Championship. His rink was Gordon Deakin at 3rd, Ian Addison 2nd and Hugh Clark at Lead. Bill Skeoch had to come in at 2nd for the Finals at Stirling where they acquitted themselves well in very good company, but ‘anno domini’ caught up with them in the end.”
16th April 1992: AGM – “ Summit Debentures – Scotia Arenas were to issue Debentures for Clubs to safeguard their ice requirement for the future, both for the number of sheets required in a year and at the times at which they wished to play. It would be necessary for Pollok to purchase a Debenture, repayable over 10 years, at a rate of 10% per annum, and costing £9000. Divided amongst the members would result in each member having to subscribe £225. The Club proposed an alternative scheme to apply for a Bank loan for the full amount of the Debenture to be repaid over 10 years from the repayments made by the Debenture Company. The interest cost in the first year would amount to around £3 per member and would be added equally to each members subscription. It would have the added advantage of making it easier for new members to be admitted and old ones to resign. Agreed to apply for a bank loan and for the interest to be added ‘pro rata’ to subscriptions.”
13th October 1992: Meeting – “.. to consider the adoption of a new Rule in the Constitution to confer ‘Borrowing Powers’ on the Committee, while authority for such borrowing must be obtained by resolution of the Members at an AGM or SGM.”
“At a Special General Meeting held after the Committee Meeting, the New Rule was adopted and the proposal that the Committee be authorised to negotiate a loan of up to £9000 and to charge the interest thereon ‘pro rata’ to each member, was passed unanimously.”
23rd April 1993: AGM – “ Subscription – budget pointed to a Subscription of £25 for season 1993/94…. And the Club should make stringent efforts to reduce the overdraft of £7,500 over a shorter period than the 10 years agreed…. Further proposed that the Interest Levy for 1993/94 should be set at £25 per member… agreed unanimously.”
22nd April 1994: AGM – “ Subscription to be set at £50 to enable further reduction in the overdraft requirement. Agreed.”
28th April 1995: AGM - “ West of Scotland League at Hamilton – “..this year we had finished bottom of Division ‘C’. As there is no Division ‘D’ we shall retain our position. (It was subsequently agreed that as the interest in the West of Scotland League at Hamilton had waned, and that we had originally entered to maintain a presence at Hamilton which was no longer necessary, that Pollok should resign from the West of Scotland League.)”
28th April 1995: AGM: – “Treasurer’s Report - .. the bank overdraft had been reduced to £4418.53… agreed to continue policy of reducing quickly. Subscription agreed to continue at £50.
18th April 1997 AGM: - “ Treasurer’s Report – Debit balance on the Overdraft is £96.82 which will be eliminated after tonight when , no doubt, most members will pay next year’s subscription.”
17th April 1998: AGM – “Venue for Curling Season 1998/99 - Discussion took place on the news that the Summit Centre rink might not open in the autumn due to the extent of the works to be carried out and the precarious financial position of the Scotia Arenas Ltd, and pending legal actions. The President and Committee should monitor the position and book ice wherever possible, as long as it was 5.30p.m./6.00p.m.”
16th April 1999: AGM – “Treasurer’s Report – The surplus of £4118.93 was mostly due to the full payment of the Debenture money. A proposal to return the money to those who had contributed it was defeated and the money was to remain in Club funds and be used at the discretion of the Committee.”
“President’s Report – Despite the problems caused by the closure of the Summit Centre the Club had done well. It was decided to play the Cameron Medal and the Stuart Trophy and inter-club matches at Braehead, and the Eastwood Bowl and 2 Bonspiels at Greenacres.”