Dear editor:
I would like to commend the town on its plans for building standard-sized ice rinks and adding smaller surfaces for non-hockey use. Recreational skaters, as well as hockey enthusiasts, will both enjoy this development.
For the past 10 years, I have been involved in erecting, flooding, and maintaining ice surfaces for hockey players, as well as beginning skaters, at the St. Michael’s School playground.
I regret to say that I am not going to put up the boards this year.
Over the years, many young people have availed themselves of the opportunity to develop their hockey and skating skills at this rink. It’s been a treat to watch the youngsters, and at times their parents, make use of this facility.
There are many people and organizations which have lent their labour and monetary support to make this rink possible.
Thanks go to Voyageur Panel with its donation of some OSB sheets when the sides were built with them. Thanks also to North American Lumber and the Northern Do-it centre for providing 2x4s at a discount.
Three years ago, the rink was upgraded to 3/4-inch plywood sides and treated dimensional lumber. This was made possible with the financial assistance of the Knights of Columbus, Lions Club, and Kiwanis. The materials were purchased from Tompkins Hardware in Emo at a discount.
Thanks go as well to St. Michael’s School for permission to use their field for the rink. Students from the school have enjoyed their skating parties for several years now.
Ron Erb was a tremendous help for several years in putting up the boards each October or November, as well as taking them down. Al Basaraba spent many hours at the rink with his sons, Matt and Joe, cleaning the ice surface.
The Scott family put in many hours of cleaning the snow from the ice. Kelly, Trevor, Justin, Josh, and Melanie contributed many hours each day. And Paul Cousineau and Mark Fontana were a big help with their plows when the snowfall was exceptionally heavy.
I can’t forget the work that my wife, Sue, put in over the years, cleaning the snow to the sides so that the ice would be useable.
There were many others who lent a hand clearing the snow over the years. Thanks for your help—the kids enjoyed what you did!
Signed,
Walter Horban
Fort Frances, Ont.
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Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
