WINNIPEG — It will still be awhile before you can lace up your skates for a game of shinny at many rinks in the city.
The warm weather is making it difficult for ice makers to get outdoor rinks ready for skaters. With daytime temperatures expected on the plus side for the next few days, any progress made on rinks around the city could be lost.
“This year is on track for the latest opening,” said Terry Stafeckis, who has been making ice at the North Kildonan Community Centre for 30 years.
Back in 1999, the community centre’s four rinks weren’t ready for skaters until December 17th.
“We get phone calls all the time,” said Stafeckis. “A couple every day of people asking when we will be open.”
While the snow that fell last month provided a good base, Stafeckis is worried it could all melt.
“We’re hoping we won’t lose what we have put in,” he said. “We don’t want to go backwards.”
Stafeckis said he has noticed opening dates being pushed back later through the years and feels global warming has been affecting the rinks.
“It looks like it is shifting to a week later that it’s used to,” said Stafeckis, who hopes the rinks this year will last well into the new year. “It’s hugely important for our community.”
He said ice used to be ready in November back in the 1980’s and 90’s and now it’s typical in December. The normal daytime temperature for this time of year is -7 C however we could see a high of +4 C on the weekend.
North Kildonan isn’t the only place at Mother Nature’s mercy. Stephanie Saelen at Dakota Community Centre said crews have tried to flood the rink but it isn’t cold enough.
“We try to fill it but depending on how high (the temperature) reaches, it melts during the day,” said Saelen.
According to the city’s website, there are 67 community club outdoor rinks in Winnipeg. Under ideal conditions, Bronx Park Community Centre is aiming to have it’s rink ready by December 7.
“It’s extremely late,” said Lydia Henderson. “We are making slow and steady progress.”
The club runs two satellite rinks at Clara Hughes Recreation Park. Crews have managed to get half an ice surface ready for skaters.
At the city’s largest outdoor rink it is a waiting game
“We are waiting for the temperatures to drop,” said Kristin Pauls, with The Forks. ” We aren’t actively making ice right now.”
Last year the on land ice trails were ready on December 5 but Pauls isn’t concerned. She said they need the temperature to consistently be -10 C or colder for those trails and she is optimistic the temperature in Winnipeg will eventually cool down.
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