WESTLOCK – In a first-of-its-kind, R.F. Staples School and the Town of Westlock have partnered to create a third outdoor community skating rink that’ll be located on the east side of the school.
On Thursday, Jan. 21, town crews began work, while over the weekend teachers Kyle Beattie and Dean Fagnan braved sub -20 C temperatures to flood the roughly 50 by 100-foot rink, which will also feature a loop off the main rink to the north — the hope is to have the facility up and running this week.
Beattie, who made the initial call to the town, said he got the idea after reading the story about the town creating an outdoor rink north of the Rotary Spirit Centre that was in the Jan. 19 edition of Town & Country This Week.
“We thought that it would be nice to have a rink here at the school for phys ed classes and we have the space and the parking to do it, so it will get lots of use. And if needed the kids will be able to clean it off,” said Beattie, who’s a junior high phys ed/social studies/health/electives teacher. “I’m not sure why we haven’t thought of it in other years. It makes so much sense to have one here.”
Westlock-area skaters have been flocking to the Eastglen outdoor skating rink located near Westlock Elementary School since its mid-December opening, which prompted the town to build a 50 by 100-foot outdoor rink just north of the Rotary Spirit Centre.
Town community services director Gerry Murphy said the idea was borne out of need as the RSC remains closed to the public following the extension of the provincial COVID-19 measures announced Jan. 21, although the new rinks aren’t meant for hockey like Eastglen and won’t have any boards or nets.
Murphy said he was surprised and happy to get the call from Beattie and welcomed the opportunity to work with the school as they had been searching for a suitable location for a third rink.
“I think it’s going to be a great partnership,” said Murphy Thursday afternoon.
