This will be the last year for residents for Carbon to enjoy the skating rink that has been used by the community for decades.
    However, plans are in the works to build a new and improved rink at the same location by next winter.
    The Carbon Recreation Society has joined with the Village of Carbon and Ag Society to create a new multi-use building that would include the outdoor swimming pool, curling rink, and skating rink.
    It was decided to use the opportunity to build a brand new skating rink.
    “We’re going to rotate the skating rink 90 degrees and we’re working with the Ag Society to make a multi-use facility,” said Michael Still, a member of the Carbon Recreation Society. “We’re going to move our existing skate shack or add a new one so it’ll be a multi-use building. It could be our skating shack or work as a field house for soccer.
    To build the new rink, the recreation society received funding from Kneehill County, the Carbon Lions Club, and Ag Society. It is estimated the cost for the rink alone will be roughly $60,000 and could be over $100,000 with a new skate shack,
    “It’s a pretty big project. It’s going to be completely torn down. An upgraded system is going in. The system we have now is all wood. The new one will be made of newer materials, meet current safety codes, and have a longer life. It’s not going to be something that needs constant repairs and maintenance. The company we’re purchasing it from says it lasting 50 years is not uncommon,” said Still.
    Residents will still be able to use the rink for the rest of the winter, but once the weather warms up, work will begin to tear it down and build a new one. The new rink will be up in time for next winter.
    “It’s going to be as is this year, but next year it’s going to be a completely new facility,” said Still.

    Another Drumheller resident who has shown great dedication to the community has been honoured with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
    Martin McSween, who has coached Special Olympic skiers for many years, from the local level all the way up to international competition, received the award in Canmore at the Canada Special Olympics Training Camp in late November.
    He was presented the award by multi-Olympic medal winner and Honorary Special Olympic Team Captain Catriona Le May Doan and the Special Olympics Chef de Mission for Team Canada Jennifer Campbell.
    “It was a really great opportunity to be up close and personal with sports royalty and I’m still, after a week, grasping the honour bestowed my way with the award,” said McSween.
    The Drumheller Mail reported in May of this year that McSween had been selected as a coach for the Canadian Special Olympics alpine ski team heading to the World Games in Korea. Members of the team were in Canmore on the weekend of November 23-25 preparing for the competion.    
    “We had a great training camp and wonderful output from our athletes in preparation for the World Games, January 29-February 5, 2013, in South Korea,” said McSween.

Martin McSween, centre, received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal from Catriona Le May Doan, left, and Canada Special Olympics Chef de Mission Jennifer Campbell in Canmore.