Welch said the new rink will also include amenities for new sports, such as pickleball | Mik Horvath / MBC
Not long after Christmas Douglas Recreation announced the outdoor rink (ODR) in Douglas has received an investment of $150,000 from the provincial government’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund.
However, Douglas Recreation treasurer Jesse Welch, said the grant only covers half of the total cost and the rest will be generated through fundraising.
Funds will be raised through the upcoming annual Frosty Fun Winter Carnival, Douglas’ biggest fundraiser taking place during the last weekend of January.
Welch said they will also once again organize a charity golf tournament in the summer to raise money, but there will also be regularly scheduled fundraisers to be hosted at the rink.
Douglas’ ODR is a major hub during the winter months in the close-knit community, also serving the youth in the area.
The rink is located just behind St. Michael’s Catholic school which means the students get near 24/7 access to the ice with local supervision.
St. Mike’s student and Upper Ottawa Valley Aces player, Griffin, said anytime he’s not practicing for the Aces he’s playing hockey with his friends on the ODR.
Griffin is particularly excited for the incoming improvements to the windy rink.
The revitalization will be a complete rebuild of the rink from the ground-up including a new foundation and boards.
Welch said it’s a big project and they are hoping to begin work this spring, to be completed for fall of this year.
Welch said a concrete pad has many benefits; the ice surface can be created faster because of the level construction and he also notes during the summer the pad can be utilized for other recreation activities.
Further behind the rink Douglas Recreation also maintains two beach volleyball courts and a baseball diamond, but the concrete pad in the summer could support more sports like pickleball.
Douglas Recreation is also sustainably sourcing some of the materials to save on time and cost.
For example, they purchased outgoing sideboard material from Arnprior’s recreation department during the Nick Smith Centre revitalization, which Welch said will save their department about $50,000-$60,000.
(Written by Mik Horvath)
