Outdoor rinks around the city are moving into full swing after warm weather led to a late start.
The colder weather in early January saw skating enthusiasts take to the ice at outdoor rinks in Centretown, including the surface behind the McNabb Recreation Centre at Bronson and Gladstone avenues.
McNabb’s outdoor arena opened to the public at the beginning of January, the second latest launch that Ewan Reid, the rink manager, says he’s seen during his five years of service.
The outdoor rink has traditionally opened before New Year’s, but until Jan. 1 or so the weather wasn’t cold enough for ice to successfully be made.
“I like to make the ice, which sounds crazy, I know, but you know I like to do it. It’s my hobby and its something I’ve done for a while,” says Reid.
The City of Ottawa offers a grant to each volunteer operator depending on the facility they maintain. Of the 250 outdoor rinks in Ottawa, the rink at McNabb is of the highest level of rink in the city, with a full size, boarded ice surface for hockey and an adjacent “puddle rink” for children to skate on.
Reid, who has a full-time job outside of the rink as well as being a student, uses the grant he receives to employ youth supervisors from the community.
“It’s a way to give back to the community. They are already in the community and are getting the most out of it. It’s a chance for them to play hockey, skate around, be outside, and make a little bit of money. So I think that’s a good way to use the money that the city has allocated to this,” says Reid.
Partnered with Social Rec Connect, a local organization that connects children and youth to programs within West Centretown, Reid has provided two or three Centretown youth with the opportunity to be rink attendants at McNabb.
Kayley Wright, one of the two youth hired this year, has been involved with Social Rec Connect for a few years, but is a first-time rink attendant.
“It’s great for the youth, they are learning a lot of wonderful skills that they might not of otherwise had the opportunity to,” says Tara Howlett, program manager at Social Rec Connect. “It’s been such a great thing that Ewan has wanted to do and given back like that.”.
The outdoor rink at McNabb provides the community with a place for children, youth, and families to connect.
Having been the location of a major redevelopment on the outdoor skate park
earlier this year, the outdoor rink has seen the addition of a few benches and relocated pathway.
“We are really lucky to have that in our neighborhood, as well as the free indoor skates on the weekend,” says Howlett, referring to public skating sessions at McNabb’s indoor arena.
Skaters in Centretown can check out additional surfaces at city hall, which has the artificially chilled Rink of Dreams, the Jack Purcell Community Centre, Plouffe Park next to the Plant Recreation Centre, and the Rideau Canal. If skating indoors is a preference, RBC sponsors a free weekly indoor skate at all City of Ottawa arenas. McNabb Arena’s session is held on Sundays at 1 p.m. until the end of March.