Retired teacher and principal, and current realtor Craik Wotherspoon describes himself as an outdoor rink enthusiast. He wanted a more efficient way to build and maintain an outdoor rink he that he creates every year by his home near Wascana Creek. That sparked the idea for a mini-Zamboni of sorts. “I went over to the Al Ritchie actually and studied with the fellow that does the Zamboni over there, and he showed me the basics behind it. So that’s where we ended up with what we have back here in the picture. It has 45-gallon drum, PVC piping with a large capacity. I think there are two-inch pipes, large ball, PVC ball, so it doesn’t freeze up easily,” he explained. It just so happens that the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District (RDBID) was looking for a way to re-surface its skating rink in Victoria Park. Leasa Gibbons, director of downtown vibrancy, says she goes way back with Wotherspoon. “He was my Grade 8 teacher in the 80s, we’ll say. I always say he’s the reason I am who I am today. He really did a lot of work, both in North Central and throughout the community. Whether it was outdoor schools. He did so much for our community,” she said. “I have followed what he’s been doing since he left teaching, and I’ve been tracking his great work. We’re just fortunate to see that he was also taking care of outdoor rinks, including the one on the creek.” So, the former student and teacher had some discussions about Wotherspoon’s creation. Gibbons asked him how much it would cost for him to build one the RDBID could use for the downtown rink. Wotherspoon, in an act of generosity, donated the Zamboni free of charge. “Quite honestly, I’m dealing with somebody that I’ve taught. She’s doing things that I like to see be done within the city. I mean, the fact that these skates and this ice service is there for anyone that wants to skate on it. I like that, and it’s centrally located. I love the idea that we’re bringing people into the centre of this city, because it’s a spectacular spot,” he said. Gibbons said she is thankful for people like Wotherspoon who are looking to make Regina a more vibrant place for its citizens. So much so that the RDBID made Wotherspoon a sponsor for the Victoria Park rink. A former pupil and educator, teaming up to get things done in the Queen City.
