The WBCA is looking for volunteers to help manage the rinks at Larkin Park, Moloughney Park, Weybridge Park, and Clark Fields.   Community volunteers have always played an integral role in the successful operation of our outdoor rinks, but this year we will be relying solely on volunteers.   As part of the 2009 budget debate, a proposal was put forward to cut funding for the outdoor rink program.  In previous years, the WBCA and other community associations have received funding to help cover equipment and operations costs.   The issue is still up for debate, but at this point we are working with the assumption that the funding has been cut completely and will be relying on volunteers to keep our rinks operational.

What's involved:

Setting up the rink for the first round of flooding involves packing down the snow as much as possible so we have a solid base to begin flooding.   The ground should be completely frozen, so ideally we are looking for 3-4 days of -10 to -15 degree weather. The goal is to create 6-7 inches of base ice.  Initial flooding can take upwards of 20-30 hours to fill the 9000 square foot rink.

 Once we have a skateable ice surface, we need to flood a minimum 4 times per week to maintain quality ice.

We are expecting heavy snowfalls again this year so volunteers with snowblowers are encouraged to pitch in.   Shovelling 9000 square feet of ice is no easy task, but a large group of people on skates can work together to quickly clear the ice.  It is important when clearing to remove the snow from the corners and the edges to prevent injury and to allow flooding.