Nanaimo’s outdoor rink opens to much fanfare

“Luckily we have a tent over that rink. We do have sides, so we lift the sides if the weather is nice…we’re thankful there’s a big tent.” Though the sides may be up or down depending on the weather, the canopy will always be there.

The zipline crossing the lagoon was also a success and they were forced to extend operating hours to get everyone through the line.

“Last weekend we put through about 700 riders, so if we get another weekend that’s as busy as that or busier we’ll do our best to accommodate them.”

Through donations, $3,000 was raised for KidSport the first weekend and the Loaves and Fishes food bank will receive the donations for the upcoming weekend.

Skating isn’t normally their thing, but Craig Holland took his daughters to the rink since they had the day off school.

“They were really excited, asking me about how I knew about it and all that,” he said.

Holland said he’d be more excited if they “took away the money part.”

The City spent $200,000 to buy the mat underneath the rink and rent all other equipment. Masse said the current plan is to reuse the rink on an annual basis.

The rink will be open all this week, though the zipline won’t open again until next weekend. A floating dock will be used for ball hockey during the main festivities when Hometown Hockey skates into town.

spencer.sterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit

by Spencer Sterritt

Nanaimo’s outdoor rink opens to much fanfare

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