Christmas traditions 鈥� we all have them. Some of those memories include skating on an outdoor pond all afternoon and not leaving the ice until Mom calls you in for supper. Then heading right back out again whether it鈥檚 to practise their pirouette or passing the puck.
Kipling may have a new tradition thanks to Alan Batters, owner of Gee Bee Construction, who built an outdoor rink for the second year in a row with an ice surface of 100 feet by 185 feet. Yes it鈥檚 bigger than one he had last year and upgraded with red and blue lines and face off circles, and more lights to add that twinkle for skating at night.
Batters was approached last year about making an outdoor rink to coincide with the Winter Carnival so that was somewhat of a trial run.
鈥淟ast year was so warm so it wasn鈥檛 the ideal conditions for making the ice rink and we had to haul snow from all over the place to make the snow hill,鈥� explains Batters.
鈥淟ast year people enjoyed it so much so we gotta do it this year,鈥� says Batters. 鈥淲ith COVID, it鈥檚 outdoors and it鈥檚 perfect. For sure we have to do it.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 almost like they planted the seed last year and then it was a like a trial run last year. Who knew COVID-19 would hit us this year. It鈥檚 like it was almost meant to be,鈥� Batters says.
Gee Bee鈥檚 staff were instrumental in getting the rink ready as well as the help of Bobby Byrnell with the ice making.
Surrounding the perimeter of the ice are benches and 10 firepits to cozy up to, increased from four to comply with social distancing.
鈥淭he first weekend more than a couple of cords of wood were used,鈥� says Batters.
Whether the weather is mild and warm or cool and windy, people still tend to go out and make use of the space. It seems like there鈥檚 someone out there every day.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a good feeling to see so many people making use of it,鈥� says Batters. 鈥淭he school has been making good use of it.鈥�
The property the rink sits on is in memory of Batters鈥� son Benjamin who passed away from cancer at a very young age. He was one of the last babies to be born in the Kipling Hospital in 2002. Sadly enough when he came back from Edmonton, he was at home for awhile, then went into palliative care and he passed away in the Kipling Hospital.
Batters went on to explain: 鈥淪o when they tore the hospital down, I鈥檇 really like to buy this property. I didn鈥檛 know what I was going to do with it (at the time). The biggest thing is it is a park in the summer and started doing this rink in the winter. So it鈥檚 perfect.鈥�
鈥淥n the Zamboni I do have a memorial picture of Benjamin. He used to play hockey so when the Zamboni is on the ice, he鈥檚 on the ice!鈥�
All the other kids who went to school and played hockey with Benjamin think about him as well when they鈥檙e out there.
鈥淚t keeps his memory alive. So much gets forgotten so it鈥檚 a tribute to him,鈥� explains Batters.
When asked if he sees himself doing this every year for years to come, his answer was simply, 鈥淚 do actually. My kids are young so it鈥檒l be there for awhile.鈥�
鈥淢y mind鈥檚 already going, what can we do next? What can we do better?鈥�
