Many community rinks in Prince Albert are expected to be closed soon. (Ronald Quaroni/ paNOW staff)

By Ronald Quaroni

Diminishing Ice

Warm weather ravages rinks

Mar 18, 2019 | 11:56 AM

Hockey players will have to trade their skates in for rubber boots if they continue to use outdoor skating rinks.

Prince Albert’s Park’s Manager, Tim Yeaman said the above-average temperatures and sunny days have taken their toll on ice quality.

“It’s just at the point where the ice is starting to break up now. To try and refreeze it over-night is not working,” Yeaman said. “Once we get into these double-digit temperatures, we’re probably not going to be looking at doing much maintenance to many of these rinks.”

Yeaman said he suspects the city will co-ordinate with the community groups who manage and maintain these surfaces and perhaps as early as Thursday or Friday, the rinks could be shut down for the year.

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Yeaman said it was nice to see people taking advantage of the warm weather for a short period of time after a chilly February.

“It’s been a bit of tough winter this year,” Yeaman said. “With the extreme cold temperatures that we’ve had I think that it’s played a factor in how many people have been out and been able to use the ice surfaces.”

The Prince Abert Downtown BID’s Crokicurl rink saw its last rock thrown for the year.

Yeaman said they had a great response in the six weeks that Crokicurl was set up in Memorial Square.

“It’s a huge part of our community. It gives people an opportunity to get outside and enjoy time with family and friends… It’s been a great year and we’re looking forward to getting into summer,” Yeaman said.

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ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni