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The Solway Sharks ice hockey team has been banned from their rink due to a financial dispute with Dumfries and Galloway Council over unpaid debts exceeding £65,000. The council has opted to pursue legal action for recovery.
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The Solway Sharks play in the National Ice Hockey League, finishing ninth in the 2025-26 season [David Yule]
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 Ice Bowl has undergone a multi-million pound upgrade in the past year [BBC]
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.
The Solway Sharks were banned due to a financial dispute over unpaid debts exceeding £65,000 owed to Dumfries and Galloway Council.
The Solway Sharks owe more than £65,000 to Dumfries and Galloway Council.
The Solway Sharks play in the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL).
Dumfries and Galloway Council is seeking recovery of the debt through the courts.

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"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.
The Solway Sharks' games in the Shark Tank attract big crowds [BBC]
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.