Neighbourhood rink in Grande Prairie. Photo Credit: Shane Clausing

By Shane Clausing

neighbourhood rink program

Applications open for 2021-22 Neighbourhood Rink Program

Nov 14, 2021 | 7:00 AM

The City of Grande Prairie has opened applications for residents interested in building and maintaining small outdoor skating rinks in their neighbourhood this winter.

The program is free and will provide successful applicants with the supplies to install the ice surface.

“What we allow is for people in the area of a certain park to kind of get together and commit to doing the rink,” said Christine Chambul, Parks Supervisor for the City of Grande Prairie.

“Usually, it’s 4-5 people that commit to doing the rink. They fill out the application and we give them all the tools to provide a rink to the little community in their area.”

Training to flood an outdoor rink is also provided by the city and monthly hazard assessments are completed by city employees on each build.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

“We get the application form neighbourhood’s and we have Barb Wellender, who has been running this program for us for a long time. She will meet you on-site and kind of give you the rundown of everything,” Chambul explained.

“We also have a printout that tells you how to make the rink and what components we’ve given you. It is pretty easy to catch on how to do it. I think the hard part is just maybe building good ice.”

Applications for the program can be found at the city’s website. The deadline to submit applications is December 15.

In 2020-21, the City of Grande Prairie says there were 40 neighbourhood rinks built and those don’t include city rinks. There were a combined 55 rinks for residents to skate on last winter.