Skate into winter with the Community Ice Rink

SWAN VALLEY - For the past two years, the Swan Valley community has been able to enjoy ice skating at the local arena turned ice rink during the winter. A group of individuals will bring an ice rink back to the inhabitants of the Valley however, this rink is different than the ones in the previous years.

The Swan Valley Community Foundation is spearheading the project along with the Parent Teacher Association. The Foundation has funded several different outdoor activities, such as the Holland Lake passes every summer and are always looking for new and exciting activities to offer to the Swan Valley community.

The Foundation believed the arena was the perfect spot due to the convenience of having the Swan Valley Centre nearby as well as the central placement in the Valley, north of the Swan Valley Community Hall on Highway 83.

The PTA and the Foundation purchased an ice rink from EZ ICE, Inc., for $5,525. The Foundation found the best reviews from EZ ICE Inc. for portable rinks, and wanted to be able to bring that to the community. They thought having a portable, reusable rink would be more beneficial to the skaters, rather than what they have done in the past. By Dec. 15, the community will be able to skate on a 60 x 100 foot rink set up at the corral.

In addition to the new rink, the Foundation and PTA are hoping to set up lights so residents and visitors can skate at night.

The Foundation also wants to get electricity near the rink so visitors can set up hot treats, such as chili or hot cocoa. They want to make the ice rink comfortable, fun, and available to the people of the Valley.

"There's not a lot for families to do here in the winter," member of the Foundation Ken Donovan said. "I think we're going to see some really good things come out of this."

If anyone is interested in seeing the preview of the ice rink before it arrives, visit ezicerinks.com. Donations are still greatly appreciated and will help fund other activities including the ice rink.

For more information contact Ken Donovan at 754-5647, or Dan Maloughney at 754-2260.