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Urgent help needed to save Vimy’s outdoor skating rink

Vimy Lions Club to hold a work detail Oct. 1-2 for repairs
WES - Vimy Outdoor Rink
The Vimy Lions Club has put out a desperate call for help to save the outdoor skating rink in the Westlock County hamlet. The rink is in need of repairs this fall so area families can use it this winter.

WESTLOCK – The Vimy outdoor skating rink is in desperate need of repairs and volunteers and if they don’t happen soon, the Westlock County hamlet could go another winter without an outdoor skating rink.

“I think it’s a big asset to everyone in the community, young and old, so they can get out and enjoy the winter season,” said Vimy Lions Club secretary Lois Shank. “We did get a very small grant from Westlock County this year to replace some broken boards and paint it. The Clyde fire department said they would come and do the initial flooding but we have to have the ground work level and poly put down prior to that.”

The Vimy outdoor rink is believed to be at least 40 years old and the $3,000 grant from the county will help cover needed repairs. The club also requires volunteers to help with replacing broken boards, painting, ground prep prior to installing a poly (plastic) rink liner, assistance with rolling out the rink liner, flooding and maintenance of the ice during the winter months.

Shank said the Vimy Lions Club is very small club with just eight active members, many who are older and not able to do the work required. She and her husband Ian raised four children who grew up on the rink, and they along with other families in Vimy and surrounding area looked after the rink and maintained it for years as well but are no longer able to as well.

“If we can get volunteers to help us do the initial labour and get the ground level, we need somebody that would commit to maintaining it over the winter season,” she said, noting that they are looking to other families or individuals to take on the work.

The outdoor rink has lighting installed to use after dark in the evenings, noted Shank and will be open from November to March, weather permitting.

“Clyde no longer has a skating rink so we also get kids from the Clyde area that come here to skate,” said Shank. “But unfortunately last year we had absolutely no help so we didn’t have a skating rink last year.”

Prior to the pandemic, they had a local family who ran a water truck business and generously helped with flooding the rink year round, but the trucks have now been sold and they no longer have access to those services.

“He was such a valuable part of maintaining that rink … we were very fortunate to have this family in the community that had the water truck business,” explained Shank.

So far one family has offered to help this winter and Shank hopes more people step up so that local families and children can enjoy the outdoor rink for winter sports and activities, noted Shank.  

“It’s also very good for skating in the winter time …it’s not just the hockey aspect, it’s the social family outing that I think is extremely important,” she said. “It would give (kids) something that they could look forward to – putting on their skates and going with their friends to have some fun outside.”

Anyone wishing to help the Vimy Lions Club with the outdoor rink this winter or for the upcoming work detail Oct 1-2, is asked to contact either at 780-961-3538 or 780-349-9821.

Kristine Jean, TownandCountryToday.com


Kristine Jean

About the Author: Kristine Jean

Kristine Jean joined the Westlock News as a reporter in February 2022. She has worked as a multimedia journalist for several publications in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and enjoys covering community news, breaking news, sports and arts.
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