Skaters fly down the ice at the Rink of Dreams at the Marion Dewar Plaza at city hall. Four new rinks are being planned.
The Ottawa Senators and its charitable arm, the Sens Foundation, have confirmed that four new outdoor rink locations of the Sens RINC project have been confirmed for the spring.
Two of the four rinks will be built in the Ottawa area, one in the Gatineau area, and the other in the outer region.
Created in order to inspire youth to get active, RINC stands for Recreational Investments in Neighbourhood Communities.
The exact locations of the four upcoming rinks have yet to be made public, says foundation president Danielle Robinson, adding that the sites will be identified through individual announcements with partners in the chosen communities.
“We will be doing a big blitz for our next four big projects,” says Robinson.
During the Ottawa Senators’ 20th anniversary in the National Hockey League in 2011-2012, the team partnered with the Sens Foundation to launch a project to build 20 outdoor rinks in at-risk neighbourhoods in the Ottawa-Gatineau and surrounding regions, according to the foundation’s website.
The City of Ottawa identifies priority neighbourhoods where there are not a lot of recreational resources, says Robinson.
The Ottawa-based areas that have been identified as priorities for new rinks are Centretown, Bayshore, Overbrook, Heron Gate, Navan and Cumberland, according to a preliminary report by the city.
“When you think of today’s youth, we almost have a lost generation of kids who aren’t really playing outdoors anymore,” says Robinson.
“Obesity and diabetes is on the rise, and kids can get into trouble after school sometimes.”
That is why the Sens Foundation is trying to provide a recreational resource that will be operational all year round.
Even in the spring and summer, youth can use the rinks to play ball hockey, lacrosse, and other ball sports, says Robinson.
“Really it’s for kids to be able to walk out of their front doors and have access to a resource just like that,” Robinson said.
There are three solely city-operated outdoor skating rinks that will be open for the skating season in Centretown this winter.
They are located at the Plant Recreation Centre, Jack Purcell Community Centre, and McNabb Park.
Although McNabb Park has plans for redevelopment, the construction will not prevent operation of its outdoor skating rink, says Dan Chenier, the general manager of parks, recreation and cultural services.
The first rink built by the Sens RINC project was the Rink of Dreams in the Marion Dewar Plaza next to city hall, launched in January 2012.
The official opening ceremony for this winter’s skating season took place at the Rink of Dreams on Nov. 28.
Coun. Mark Taylor says he applauds the commitment made by the Sens Foundation and the City of Ottawa.
“These rinks provide equal access to all our residents and allows for everyone to enjoy healthy outdoor fun,” said Taylor, who attended the ceremony.
“It enables families and friends to enjoy the outdoors and to build memories while staying active,” he says.
“Our city encourages active living and these rinks are one way to assist our residents in that area.”
The second rink was built at Jules Morin Park, next to Clarence Street East and Myrand Avenue.
As for when the construction for all 20 of the rinks will be finished, Robinson says that depends on the generosity of the corporations and donors.
“We’re really running a major gift program in the construction of these rinks,” she says.
“We are presenting a case for support for all the benefits that can be had by these recreational resources in communities and neighbourhoods,” Robinson says.
“So the more people that we get on board, the quicker we’ll get them done.”