Archial Architects has been appointed to conduct a feasibility study for North Highland Curling Trust to assess suitable sites for a new curling rink.

An earlier feasibility study identified two sites as matching the required criteria. The first of these is adjacent to Tain Golf Club, where facilities such as changing rooms, bar, and car parking could be shared by both clubs.

The second is on North Highland College UHI’s Burghfield campus in Dornoch, where a number of college developments are planned. Facilities there could be shared by curlers and students alike.

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Archial’s Director in Inverness, Greg Duncan said: "We are delighted to have this opportunity and hope to build on our experience in this sector to develop an innovative solution for the region’s curlers. This is an exciting opportunity to see the sport develop further and with the 2010 Winter Olympics just around the corner, this is an ideal time to be taking this project forward."

Ian Mackay, Chair of the North Highland Curling Trust, said: "There are great possibilities for linking into the wider community in both locations and we are grateful to Highland LEADER for part-funding the study.

"The initial findings will be available in March when we’ll report back to the wider curling community and agree the next steps forward."

Archial has worked on the Curl Aberdeen facility which recently hosted the European Curling Championships and is also designing the national curling centre in Kinross.

North Highland Curling Trust was formed in May 2009 to investigate the viability of re-establishing a curling facility north of Inverness following the closure of the ice rink in Brora in 2006.

(GK/BMcc)