After a few false starts last month due to thin ice caused by warm weather, Newmarket's volunteer-run outdoor rink at Lions Park is almost ready to open to allow local children a chance to get on the ice and practise their hockey skills this winter.
For the past seven years, Chris Howie and a small army of volunteers have opened and maintained the local rink on D'Arcy Streete, but getting things open this year has been a challenge because of the persistently warm weather and the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I usually like to build the rink in November, but we had to wait for the final go-ahead from the town, which has been really supportive," said Howie.
"I had it built in the early part of December ... after 15 to 20 floods (of the ice), we were able to open on Dec. 19, but then it ended up being warmer than we thought, and we had to close down because we rely on Mother Nature since we have no refrigeration."
The hope was that the rink would be ready for young skaters this past weekend, but some people jumped the fence on Friday and damaged the ice overnight, delaying the opening for repairs.
If temperatures cooperate over Tuesday night, the rink may open toay, Wednesday, Jan. 6, but Howie encourages skaters to check the rink's Facebook page first.
As in past years, people coming to use the rink are asked to bring food donations for the Newmarket Food Pantry and Belinda's Place women's shelter and bring a shovel to pitch in to help maintain the ice.
Collecting those donations and giving kids a much needed outlet were part of the reason why Howie decided to go ahead with the rink this year despite the pandemic.
"I could have easily said screw it; it's COVID, so we'll just shut it down for the year. But I pushed so hard (to get it open) because I ask parents to bring donations, and last year we raised almost 1,000 pounds of food for the food pantry," he said.
"I think the kids learn an important life lesson about giving back to the community."
Of course, the pandemic has put some limitations on the rink this year.
Only 25 people are allowed to use the rink at any one time, and although skaters can practise their hockey skills with sticks and nets, no formal games are allowed.
The rink will operate on a first-come-first-served basis. But skaters are asked to limit their time to 45 minutes to let others onto the ice if a line forms.
Ice times will also be divided by age group:
- Weekdays
- 4 to 6 p.m. grade school-aged kids and younger
- 6 to 8 p.m. high school-aged youths and younger
- Weekends
- noon to 3 p.m. kids and families
- 3 to 6 p.m. grade school age
- 6 to 8 p.m. high school age
There are no immediate plans for ice times for adult skaters without children, said Howie, because he wants to prioritize giving kids a reason to get out of the house. He also admits that he is worried about the damage adults can cause to the delicate ice, which is too often done intentionally.
