Does St. Catharines need more (well, ONE would be nice) outdoor skating rinks?

[AlphaDog]

Talking to WDF made me remember something I was thinking about a couple weeks ago...

ST. CATHARINES HAS NO OUTDOOR SKATING RINKS!! (or do we and I just don't know about them) ??

Every city I know of has sections of fields frozen and flooded for people to skate on during the winter.

Why don't we?

If it's possible I thought a GREAT place would be in between two of the locks on the Welland Canal - just leave a bit more water in than they currently do (even in winter there's water still there). There's tons of open flat places they could use, but why don't we have any skating rinks the way other cities do?

All your input on this is enouraged! :hurray:

[TheQuietOne]

I loved the outdoor rinks back when I lived in Kitchener. And many city halls that I know of have some kind of skating facility near them. But alas, I have yet to find something in St. Catharines

[GoDogsGo]

there is one planned for montebelo park for next year...

[GoDogsGo]

City considers skating rink for Montebello Park By Mike Zettel

St. Catharines
Dec 26, 2007




It's a Canadian tradition that conjures up idealistic memories of simpler times and by next year it could be a reality again in the Garden City.
Downtown's Montebello Park could become a year-round destination if the city follows through with a proposal to build a seasonal ice rink.
The enthusiastic proposal was made to councillors at the final meeting of the year by Blain Chiavarini, a lifelong resident of St. Catharines, who works as an investment advisor for BMO Nesbitt Burns.
Asking councillors to think back to the outdoor rinks they might have skated on during their childhoods, Chiavarini suggested with a little effort a similar rink could be up and running within a year.
And he said he could think of no better setting for family skating than in front of the pavilion in the oldest park in the city.
"It seems to have the perfect size and backdrop," he said. He reminded them the park is adjacent to Ontario Street, one of the gateways into the city.
"Imagine the positive images this facility would provide to our visitors coming to the downtown," he said.
The facility would be a temporary one, consisting of rubber matting overlaid with a piping system, a cooling system and boards. He estimated a 10,000 square foot rink, about 60 per cent of the size one built to NHL specs, would cost about $250,000. Chiavarini also pledged to take on the responsibility for half the capital fundraising.
Maintenance, he said, should be done by the city, as staff have the necessary expertise.
Those costs, plus the cost of electricity for lighting and cooling, could be offset by concession sales and corporate sponsorships, he said.
Chiavarini added there would be no shortage of businesses willing to attach their name to such a facility.
"Corporate sponsors love to be associated with this type of family activity," he said.
Citing examples from similar rinks in other Ontario cities like Burlington and Brampton, Chiavarini said the running season would likely be from mid- to late-November until early March, depending on the weather.
However, he added, today's rink technology will allow outdoor skating up to temperatures of 8C.
Set up and tear down would each take about a week.
Councillors were generally receptive to the proposal, although some questioned whether the November 2008 timeline was a little too optimistic.
"City hall does move slowly, if you don't know," Coun. Joe Kushner said.
Others had practical questions, such as whether fees should be charged. Chiavarini said perhaps a nominal fee of $1 would be fair, but ideally it would be free, especially for the holidays.
Coun. Len Stack, while not suggesting seniors don't skate, said there are already some segments of the population displeased with what the city spends on arenas and wondered whether everyone would appreciate this use of tax dollars.
Chiavarini said his informal survey found all demographics receptive to the idea and that for older generations the idea brings back some of their fondest memories.
"People appreciate that kind of thing," he said. "Even if they don't use it all the time, they appreciate that it's there."
He said he doubted parking would be an issue, noting 45 spots surrounding the park and suggesting people would be willing to walk several blocks to get to the rink.
Councillors asked staff to report back on the proposal, with information on the cost, effect on the neighbourhood and sponsorship by businesses and service clubs. They also asked that staff look at possible federal, provincial and regional funding opportunities and that the item be considered in the 2008 budget.

[dv8]

Wasnt there one in Port Weller a few years ago ???

I remember a rink but I dont remember if it was actually ice or not.

Although I do think it wouldnt hurt to have a outdoor rink either way.

[GoDogsGo]

Wasnt there one in Port Weller a few years ago ???

I remember a rink but I dont remember if it was actually ice or not.

Although I do think it wouldnt hurt to have a outdoor rink either way.
that was the old ball hockey rink that was moved to lock 3 for BHI...

[dv8]

that was the old ball hockey rink that was moved to lock 3 for BHI...

The important part is that I didnt imagine it.:thumbup:

[GoDogsGo]

The important part is that I didnt imagine it.:thumbup:
true enough... i remember spending many a days playing ball hockey there...with the smell of the water treatment place....during the summer was almost unbearable... but we were die hards.... glad they moved it...

[MadMann]

Im not sure if Niagara still has their outdoor pads. There used to be one at the lions club. There is a really nice one right on the waterfront in Burlington. Its a very nice place for a morning or evening skate. I would love to see a nice outdoor pad in st kitts. Somewhere with some scenery not just ice. One of my favorites was this pad I did in Richmond hill. It was a figure 8 it turned out awsome and it looks very nice. It was pretty much a large 8 cleared into some medium density forrest.

[RioBravo]

Welland has quiet a few, its great.