The Linaria arena rink is at risk of being shut down for the upcoming hockey season.
The rink has been a vital connection for often isolated rural communities between the population centres of Westlock and Barrhead.
“Keeping the rink open would continue a legacy of community, rural unity and a legacy of fun; there's been generations of families that have learned to skate on that ice,” said Dylan Stephens, a member of the Linaria Ag Society, which oversees operation of the arena.
“It's kind of the only rink in the area that can serve that purpose. Neerlandia doesn't have an indoor rink, Jarvie doesn’t have a rink, Dapp doesn't have an indoor rink.”
The generator for the ice plant has broken down and the arena’s Zamboni is in serious need of an upgrade. Without these two vital components, operation of the arena’s rink is not possible.
The arena sits about 20 minutes northwest of Westlock and currently hosts several Westlock minor hockey teams and beer league teams and is open for private rentals.
“This arena is pretty integral for many league and fun hockey teams, so its loss would be felt across the area for sure,” Stephens said.
The Linaria Ag Society is hoping to raise $25,000 in funds to cover the cost of these repairs and upgrades. The ice at the arena is usually put in at the beginning of November, giving the Ag Society several months to raise the necessary funds.
All donors are eligible for a tax receipt with names displayed in the arena lobby. The top four donors will get Zamboni ad space. If a donor is found for the entire $25,000, they will have full Zamboni branding rights for the entire time of the machine’s operation.
“As our registration grows, the Linaria arena has become essential to Westlock Minor Hockey’s practice schedule,” read a statement from Westlock Minor Hockey on Facebook.
“Beyond that, this arena has left a huge legacy in Westlock County — serving generations of players, families, and fans. Let’s rally together to keep the ice cold, the skates moving, and the legacy of this arena alive for the next generation.”
History of the Linaria Arena
The Linaria Arena’s construction was first proposed at the initial gathering of the Linaria and District Ag Society in 1977, with construction beginning in September 1979. Full construction of the arena remarkably took only 27 days, with 82 volunteers braving the cold autumn temperatures and the project completed on a November day with a temperature of -23 C.
The arena has been locally operated by the Linaria and District Ag Society since it opened in 1980.
“They had an outdoor arena already, but they had to constantly clear it by hand and they were getting to have quite a few hockey teams,” said Stephens.
The first event hosted at the arena was a skate-a-thon in February 1980.
The arena hosted its first full hockey season in January 1981, with four minor hockey teams who competed in the Lac. St. Anne league. One of these teams, led by coaches Clifford Cyre and Leo Paul Dupuis, won the league championship in the mites division.
The mites retained their title the following year in the Lac. St. Anne league in 1982, led by coaches Lawrence Nesterovich and Mortie Cox.
Other highlights in the arena’s history include a AAA midget team that won the championship in the arena, and a fundraiser by CFCW radio.
A Zamboni for the arena was purchased in 1982; before that, the ice had to be cleared by hand.
The arena was also used as a recreation space by the Linaria School prior to the school’s closure.
