New opportunity for children and families to get outside

Do it for kids, do it to have fun yourself, do it to build community! ROCKS (Regional Outdoor Center for Kinetic Sports) has always focused on what is best for kids, community and outdoor recreation.

"We are excited to add another economic driver that benefits our residents in addition to the many more obvious benefits of our plan," explains ROCKS President Jim McLean. Ice Rink advocates began meeting only a year ago and already have secured a plan to build a temporary ice rink on the Seeley Lake athletic fields adjacent to SLE which will be usable for the next three winters.

This rink will be 65X100 feet and will include eight inch perimeter boards, a white plastic liner (bladder), and rubber mats that will lead from the baseball dugouts to the ice rink which will preserve skates and keep sand off the ice.

The ROCKS rink will be open to the public free of charge during daylight hours, have learning to skate programs, figure skating programs, curling and possibly hockey in some form – as this is only one half a full-size rink.

ROCKS has earmarked $7,000 for this project and has applied for a $10,000 Parks Capital Improvement Grant from Missoula County. A match of 50 percent of this grant needs to be raised locally, which can include volunteer labor.

The popular Lions Club ice rink pond has had maintenance problems caused by aquatic weeds, and last winter huge amounts of snow hampered efforts to open the rink. The Lions Club is supporting ROCKS in this effort. Garry Swain, board member and project coordinator, notes that the Lions Club efforts and impact through the years has provided generations of kids and families memorable winter recreation and lasting memories. Such volunteer dedication and hard work has the gratitude and admiration of this community and Lions Club has been an outstanding example.

Future work on planning will coincide with the enjoyment and ice skating culture this temporary rink will offer. Phase 2 will focus on a covered multi use area, though the location is still being determined. This would be a full functioning ice rink in the winter with year round use for the public – such as Farmer's Market and/or concert venue. A covered facility would make the ice easier to maintain and lengthen the ice season. Lights would make it available for nighttime use year round and would again expand local opportunities.

Local notable experienced ice athletes Swain, a former pro hockey player, and Tanya Fife, Olympic skater, are avid supporters of this new opportunity. Swain knows the impact of this support on young people and families.

"I was fortunate enough to play pro hockey and raised a family that grew up centered in outdoor activities as healthy and fun alternative for amusement. Now as a proud member of the Seeley Lake community, I am extremely excited to help provide this new opportunity to provide a new sport and future in this incredible mountain community. People here support and work for their kids, for fun times, for sports and athletic endeavors. I think we all see an ice rink as a bright and useful addition in ways that are endless in diverse opportunities and uses."

Scott Eggeman, ROCKS board member, also underlines the community benefit to families and growing, young children.

"I have two youngsters that I really hope can take advantage of the everyday, fun opportunities this ice rink can provide. Learning physical skills and working together as a team on the rink can only enhance a lifelong enjoyment. But as a parent, this new idea will be unique long into the future also for us, as I know of many parents and grandparents that will enjoy helping to leave this special legacy for generations to come."

"I hope this article serves as a first call for others to now get in touch with our working group," adds Mike Lindemer. "We need the community to add their thoughts, their efforts, their skills and certainly we will need to request everyone's help in meeting the matching funds required of this grant if we are successful. 'Working together works!' and we know that. Having everyone interested in giving us a call is our next step."

For further information PLEASE contact Garry Swain, 499-2966, garryswain@gmail.com. Your involvement in this positive effort will be well worth your time...and we have fun working together too!