Town Council

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Some residents of Saugeen Shores have been wanting cold weather for one reason, to create a neighbourhood outdoor rink.

James MacIntosh being interviewed by local radio media

James MacIntosh and his neighbours of Parkwood Drive in Port Elgin wanted to make an outdoor rink for the neighbourhood children but had to get Town Council's permission as they wanted to put it on an unused municipal lot.

Given the issue of insurance liability for the town, MacIntosh and neighbours had to agree to a set of regulations and restrictions that might have seemed daunting to many.

"I can't believe all this," said Councilor Thead Seaman. "When I was growing up in Southampton, if we wanted to make a rink, we just went ahead and flooded a yard."

As part of the agreement between the neighbours and the Town however, a neighbourhood committee has to complete a daily form that includes:

• recording conditions on a daily basis including air temperature

• flooding ice source with water supplied by Neighbourhood Committee

• maintaining the park area to ensure safety

• clearing of snow

• recording daily number of users

• all users to complete waiver forms to be forwarded to the Town of Saugeen Shores

• Accident report to be completed immediately following any incident taking place and to be forwarded to the Town of Saugeen Shores on the following business day

Many communities and cities have, in fact, returned to outdoor skating rinks where free skating is a big part of physical activity.  Kitchener, Ontario for instance, has created 40 outdoor skating rinks and Edmonton, Alberta, has many rinks including turning a central park into an outdoor skating facility complete with piped music and night lighting.

When asked if he found the task daunting, MacIntosh said that he was willing to forward with the project.  "This is all about the kids," he said.  "When kids have the ability to go out and skate every night, their skills improve immeasurably and, so, it's definitely worth it. 

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Sunday, December 05, 2010