It may be coming soon to your neighbourhood.
Saugeen Shores council has agreed to help set up an outdoor ice skating rink this winter.
James Mackintosh of Parkwood Drive requested that such a facility be set up on an unopened road allowance on the street.
Mackintosh says he and his neighbours will take care of the costs and the maintenance and the town will provide the land and weekly inspections of the ice rink.
Community services director Mike Myatt says this is uncharted ground for the town and they’re making sure all liability issues are addressed before a blade hits the ice.
Indeed the town will be looking for waiver forms to be signed by all users but no one could say exactly how that would be monitored.
Mackintosh says the rink will be 35 by 75 feet with shinny hockey and recreational skating available depending on demand.
The rink will also be lit but will have to close down by 10 PM each night.
The rink will be open to all and will be free of charge.
Mackintosh says he was surprised to learned upon moving to town a year and a half ago, that there were no outdoor rinks.
He says the kids need these extra rinks to develop their skating skills citing his daughter who through use of an outdoor rink, improved her skating three-fold.
Town council was told outdoor rinks are making a comeback in many communities in Southwestern Ontario.
Mike Myatt says he hopes this is the beginning of many outdoor rinks to make an appearance in Saugeen Shores.
Council agreed to develop the plan on the Parkwood Drive rink.
Next on the agenda is the cooperation of Mother Nature to provide plenty of cold weather but no snow, to freeze the rink.
