The chilly back end of December has been good news for area outdoor rinks.
Officials with the city say the outdoor rinks are expected to open with caretakers at five locations early in the new year.
“The rink caretakers won’t be on site until after new year’s,” stated Bryan Kimber, the City of North Bay’s Community Development Facilitator.
North Bay has 11 rinks in the city with five having rink caretakers. Kimber says they are ahead of where they were at with the rinks last December where mild conditions made skating during the Christmas holidays a challenge.
“This has been a standard every year and is usually driven by the weather conditions and the building schedule of the rinks,” he said.
“If we can start earlier we will try but we try to stay with January and a start to ensure we have time to prepare the rinks and ensure the ice is in great shape for people to use.
“Over the holiday's rinks will be maintained by our Parks staff until the 22nd and will be back in on the 27 to make sure the ice is in good shape.”
Kimber says rink volunteers will still be able to continue their maintenance and opening the change rooms where and whenever possible.
Kimber says you can check the city website here for any more updates on the condition of the outdoor rink in your area.
Click here: http://www.cityofnorthbay.ca/living/recreation/parks-and-sports-fields/outdoor-skating-rinks/
