Posted By DEANNA CLARK , STAFF WRITER
Posted 5 hours ago
For those who want to go skating outdoors over the holidays you may have to head north.
The Mac Johnson Wildlife Area's rink was attracting lots of skaters and outdoor enthusiasts yesterday and, so far, it is the only operating outdoor rink in town - well, north of town.
Brockville's rinks, including the popular one on Laurier Boulevard beside the toboggan hill, the Rotary pad, and the River Rink at Hardy Park aren't suitable for blades yet -and may not be ready over the holidays, according to Valerie Harvey, acting director of parks and recreation.
"It's all weather-dependent for us," said Harvey.
"There's no guarantee we'll have anything up and running for the holidays," she said Monday afternoon.
But efforts are being made, Harvey said, to have them opened as soon as possible.
At the Laurier Boulevard site, the city hired a contractor, D&D Tree Service, to clear away a covering of snow. Harvey explained the city's equipment is too heavy for the condition of the underlying ice right now.
The contractor was able to use a smaller Bobcat to remove the snow without causing any damage.
With that insulating layer of snow removed by D&D on Monday, Harvey said the ice will have a better chance of thickening in a uniform fashion.
"It's to get the cooler temperatures to it," said Harvey.
Water which collects in the area also varies in depth from about one inch to a few feet, which also can cause problems, she said.
"Its intended opening date at this point is unknown," Harvey said of the Laurier rink.
Meanwhile, city staff and volunteers were set to start work on the River Rink, according to Harvey.
"We're just starting to do the base," she said.
Harvey stressed, however, this rink is also vulnerable.
The weather forecast is predicting warmer temperatures later this week, which could throw a wrench into getting the rinks up and running while school children are still out for the holidays.
So, while the rinks in the city begin to take shape, people have the option of heading out to what the Back Pond for their desired amount of outdoor skating.
The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, which operates the Mac Johnson Wildlife Area, has information on its website about rink conditions and a number to call for updates.
The site states both the Little Creek Conservation Area in Kingston and Mac Johnson Wildlife Area near Tincap are open during the holidays.
For up-to-date information on ski trail and rink conditions, call the Mac Johnson Wildlife Area at 345-1990.
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