A ribbon cutting ceremony this morning (December 8th), marked the official opening of the Sullivan Rink of Dreams in Arnprior.
Mayor Walter Stack says residents will be able to get use out of the rink year round with hockey and skating in the winter and basketball and ball hockey in the summer. The Arnprior Mayor says with the recent growth in town, the new rink will help bring the community together and provide no cost activities for local residents.
Stack says they hope to add in a splash pad to Legion Park on Edey Street next year.
The Treasurer for the Arnprior Optimist Club Brad McKay says the idea came about several years ago when they wanted to put up some plywood boards. McKay says thanks to the amazing support from the community and sponsors the Sullivan Rink of Dreams has turned into so much more.
McKay says it was an easy choice to come on board and help out with the project because It’s a great space for the community and brings opportunities for youth and families to get outside.
CEO and President at Sullivan and Sons, Rob Ball, says the Sullivan family has been active in the community for 106-years and adds they always give back when they have a chance. Ball adds this project would have been near and dear to Thomas (Tommy) Sullivan’s heart as a former mayor and lifelong community supporter who always made sure kids had a chance to play.
The Sullivan Rink of Dreams project was advanced by the Ottawa-Gatineau Youth Foundation (formerly the Senators Foundation). The project was about 18-months in the making and three potential locations were looked at before deciding on Legion Park on Edey Street in Arnprior. A group of Grade 3 students from St. John XXIII School in Arnprior crossed the road to see the new site in person.
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