Volunteer shortage puts some Ottawa skating rinks at risk of not opening

Some Ottawa outdoor skating rinks are at risk of closing because of a lack of volunteers. CTV’s Dave Charbonneau reports.

Ottawa’s outdoor skating rinks are a winter tradition for many, but volunteers say more help is needed to keep the ice surfaces available to the public throughout the winter.

One volunteer is stepping up, and hoping others will join him.

“This is 100 per cent me,” said Steve Brass, a rink volunteer.

Brass is in his second year of clearing, flooding and maintaining a community rink at Ev Tremblay Park, mostly on his own.

“My kids would come and skate here, and I’ve used it before. So, I’ve got time on my hands to some extent. And it’s sort of good to give back to the community,” Brass said.

Keeping the ice clear is a big job, especially after a heavy snowfall.

“Particularly when it snows, that’s when I’m going to need some help. I mean, this is a lot to do, for one person,” he said.

The City of Ottawa supports a network of 270 outdoor community rink sites, but some are at risk of staying closed all winter.

Although 135 outdoor rinks are up and running with most others expected to be skateable within the next week, the city says 11 rinks in Ottawa are facing volunteer shortages.

“As is typical at the start of each winter season, some neighbourhoods have had challenges recruiting volunteers to maintain and supervise their local rinks,” Dan Chenier, general manager of Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services wrote in a statement to CTV News.

“The City is actively recruiting volunteers through its regular channels and with the help of Ward Councillors.”

The Heron Gate site is facing a volunteer shortage, and it’s rink is currently nothing more than a field of snow.

“Just before Christmas time, we found out that the rink operator was no longer able to operate the rink for this season,” said Marty Carr, city councillor for Alta Vista Ward.

“So, it’s a big loss for the community, and we’re really hoping that somebody will volunteer to take over this rink so that we can keep it in the community.”

Some in the area don’t mind the missing ice, like Heron Gate resident Marie Aubin who plays in the abandoned rink with her dog Kyra all winter.

“There’s no ice. I kind of like it, to tell you the truth, because it keeps her in check,” Aubin said.

Many dog owners now use it as a makeshift dog park, and Aubin says it makes for a great area to play fetch.

“She stays with me here and plays with the other dogs. It’s kind of nice to have,” Aubin said.

Back at Ev Tremblay Park, the goal is simple, keep the rink open to the community and make it a team effort.

“If anybody is in the neighborhood after a snowstorm, I’ve got shovels. I’ll be here. Just come on over and help me out,” Brass said.

Coun. Carr received multiple offers to volunteer at the Heron Gate skating rink following the publishing of this story.

The city says over 1,000 volunteers help maintain community rinks. Those interested in volunteering can contact [e-mail].

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