Fort Frances residents could be skating beneath a new roof at McIrvine Park this winter, with construction of the nearly $1-million rink upgrade progressing towards completion.
Travis Rob, the Town of Fort Frances’ Manager of Infrastructure and Growth, told the Times that work on the $994,000 project is progressing well, with the rink expected to be ready for ice-making as soon as temperatures permit.
“Progress is coming along excellently,” Rob said. “The foundation works are complete, the rink slab is complete, and the structural steel is up.”
Contractors are now installing the inner and outer roof panels and completing the final structural bracing, work Rob expects to be finished within two to three weeks.
The new rink boards are scheduled to arrive during the first week of November, with installation planned for the same week. Electrical work will follow the arrival of the rink’s new lighting fixtures.
Despite construction still being underway in late October, Rob said the remaining work schedule means the facility will be ready for skating this winter.
“Everything is lining up for a fully complete installation ready for ice in as soon as the weather cooperates for community enjoyment all winter this winter,” he said.
The upgrades were approved by Fort Frances town council in January at an estimated cost of $994,000, with the project intended to improve the reliability and accessibility of outdoor skating during the winter months.
A permanent roof over the rink is expected to reduce the need for snow removal and help keep the ice surface available for longer periods, while the new concrete slab and infrastructure will also support recreational activities outside the skating season.
The project received $500,000 in funding through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), confirmed by the provincial government in February.
Mayor Andrew Hallikas welcomed the investment at the time, highlighting the importance of hockey to Fort Frances and the opportunity for the covered facility to host social and recreational activities throughout the year.
Council had also considered undertaking similar upgrades to the town’s East End rink. However, the McIrvine project was prioritized because funding had already been secured, while the East End proposal remained dependent on further financial support.
For now, the focus is on completing the remaining work at McIrvine, with the exact opening date dependent on the weather conditions needed to make ice.
