It might not be long before residents can enjoy an afternoon skating in the great outdoors.
The Bonnyville Centennial Centre has shown interest in purchasing a used outdoor skating rink from Canmore, AB.
“We’re pleased to have an outdoor rink in the works for installation here at the Bonnyville C2,” expressed Sue Phillips, marketing manager for the C2.
They haven’t officially purchased the rink yet. They’re still waiting for approval from the centre’s general manager Todd Muir and the Town and MD of Bonnyville.
“Once that is all in place, the rink will be dismantled and shipped from its current site, and plans will be made for its installation on the east side of the C2 parking lot, just north of the skateboard park,” added Phillips.
Mayor Gene Sobolewski said this is an opportunity they can’t let slide by.
“There has been interest from members of the community for an outdoor rink, and the cost of something like this split between the town and the MD makes it a very affordable. It’s an opportunity that we really shouldn’t be passing up.”
The C2 has placed a request with each council, asking $25,000 be released from both the MD and town’s respective C2 reserve funds.
On Wednesday, Aug. 22, MD council agreed to the purchase.
“The topic had come up before, it just hadn’t made it to the point of being passed. This was something we had to move on quick. That’s why we passed the motion to support it, and I’m sure the town will do the same thing,” explained Reeve Greg Sawchuk.
The town council hasn’t met in order to discuss the opportunity, but Sobolewski is confident they will give the project the green light.
“When you take a look at the cost of buying new and some of the proposals and ideas that have come across our desks, they’re hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
He added, “I’m fairly confident this will be an opportunity the town and MD will very gladly get behind.”
The cost to purchase an outdoor rink brand new is around $300,000. This includes installation and fencing. The used rink is expected to ring in at about $32,000 for the boards and chain link. Installing it will cost an additional $50,000 or so.
Sawchuk described it as “a great deal.”
“We’re making use of some of some of the space outdoors at the C2 and the old Zamboni. It will be a nice ice surface.”
According to Phillips, the rink is slightly smaller than an NHL-sized surface.
It’s 185-feet by 75-feet, rather than 200-feet by 85-feet.
She said, “It will be a great addition to the facility, and we’re looking forward to offering an all-new form of ice and skating to our community.”
