Last week’s cold snap may have chilled the bones but it made great ice-making weather.
With COVID restrictions closing indoor recreation facilities, this leaves fewer chances to get out and get some important exercise. The cold weather allowed local ice makers to put the finishing touches on the outdoor rinks in the valley.
There are outdoor rinks in the communities of Nacmine, Midland, and Rosedale. Volunteers have also taken it upon themselves to flood and maintain the rink at the Newcastle Recreation Area. There is also a small rink in the downtown plaza.
Tyler Scarlett volunteers to make and maintain the ice in Rosedale and said last week’s weather was great for making ice and had the rink up and ready for skating by Saturday, December 19, the same day that Santa and his sleigh and rode through the community.
While the rinks are a great place for outdoor recreation, CAO Darryl Drohomerski explains there are still some restrictions due to COVID -19. He says the protocols stipulated no more than 10 people from the same cohort.
Nacmine has posted its requirements, which includes no more than 10 people on the rink at one time, no shinny, although there is one net placed for shooting pucks. Social distancing is to be practiced on and off the ice, and they have closed the skating shack.
