Should we have outdoor hockey and skating rinks in Chatham-Kent?
Photo courtesy of dawhitfield
Picture it, Canada’s game being played the way it was originally meant to be played, outdoors, here in Chatham-Kent. If you drive around Chatham-Kent, you’ll already see dozens of outdoor rinks in back yards and fields, and along the Sydenham, you’ll see rinks scraped out on the River. But we shouldn’t stop there. Outdoor skating and hockey has positive marketing, economic, and health implications we could benefit from.
Over the coming months, you may see more columns like this where I chip in my two cents directly at CK. Whether these ideas will work or not, they are just ideas I’ll throw out that the public can like or dislike, and will hopefully discuss. The first being, outdoor skating and hockey in CK.
Chatham-Kent should have more outdoor, public, free skating
Look at the outdoor rinks in London, Ontario. What do they accomplish? And are they viable in Chatham-Kent? In downtown London, you’ll find two outdoor skating rinks. Victoria Park not only houses an unbelievable atmosphere of Christmas lights, but it’s also home to an amazing outdoor rink in front of the band stand. Only a few blocks away, you’ll find a rink across the road from the John Labatt Centre at Covent Garden Market. That’s not even to mention the outdoor skating trail at Storybook Gardens. These rinks are filled with active, healthy family fun. Before they skate? You can bet they’re picking up hot chocolates and coffee from local stores, or warming up in other retail locations; spending their money. Let’s replicate this. Why not build an outdoor rink in Tecumseh Park right in front of the band stand? Have a Christmas concert of music and skating. Entice families into the downtown. Who knows, maybe they’ll stop by Eve Chocolatier or Coffee Culture for a warm drink, or maybe they’ll cruise down to Sugar Fix for some candy. Maybe they’ll even work up an appetite and need a warm dish of pasta from Mamma Marias or Peppino’s.
This doesn’t stay Chatham centric either, remember, we’re Chatham-Kent. I made a recommendation before for the former W.T. Laing site in Wallaceburg, here’s another. Clear the rubble, and build an outdoor rink. It’s only blocks from the high school, blocks from Tim Hortons, blocks from the arena itself, and more importantly, blocks from downtown. Mitchell’s Bay should be commended for opening an outdoor rink. Already a hidden tourist gem, the community has taken another step in bettering the lives of their youth and families through physical activity.
Let’s have an outdoor hockey game in Chatham-Kent
A skating rink is easier, it’s more economically feasible, and I think it’s the first stage. If it works well, why can’t we host an outdoor hockey game in Chatham-Kent? Obviously we need a location that is flat, has some pre-existing stands, and lighting. And I’m not talking about the 100,000 seats of the NHL or NCAA, just a spot we can use to stage our own “classic.” What about Fergie Jenkins Field at Rotary Park, the Chatham-Kent Community Athletic Complex behind CKSS, or one of the fields at Thames Campus? How about Steinoff Park in Wallaceburg? Or any other soccer or baseball field in Blenheim, Dresden, or elsewhere in Chatham-Kent.
This would definitely take a large investment, but think of the fantastic marketing and publicity it would bring to Chatham-Kent. It would be an unforgettable positive experience in our community, and something we could all rally around. The rink could feature boys and girls games from all of Chatham-Kent’s communities. Bring in a team from Blenheim, Tilbury, Ridgetown, and Dresden Minor Hockey to play. Let the Wallaceburg Lakers, Dresden Kings, Wheatley Sharks, and Blenheim Blades square off. Feature high school hockey between CKSS, UCC, WDSS, LKCS, RDHS, and the Pines. Get the Chatham Outlaws and Kent Fillies on the ice. Let the Chatham Thunder show off their ringette skills. And then end it with a Chatham Maroons game. Sure it might be far fetched, but why not? If you don’t think parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents from all of those small communities would travel to wherever these games were held, and pay money to watch, and eat dinner, buy gas, and get coffee in the town afterwards, you’re crazy.
I would hope in the coming winters, outdoor, public, free skating rinks become a reality, because the benefits are unlimited. Our youth are screaming for entertainment options and this would fit the bill. If it was done in Tecumseh Park in Chatham, I would wager families would travel from surrounding communities to skate for free together outdoors.
I know the ideas aren’t perfect and the details aren’t there, but those can be filled in, and if necessary, I will help to fill them in. Should we have outdoor hockey and skating in Chatham-Kent? I say definitely, what do you say?
Let the games begin.
This would only be a good idea i these rinks were place in the other communities of chatham kent not just in chatham. I am getting tired of having to travel anytime i want to do any kind of activities to chatham it time they start doing the traveling and give are small communities the benefits and a break from gas prices
I think this is a great idea, and one that could likely be executed without a huge investment (other than the wallaceburg school site). I loved the outdoor arenas when I lived in London – it was a cheap, fun way to spend an afternoon or evening. Planning a week long outdoor hockey event would draw people out and create a real atmosphere of community, promote a healthy community, and share the fun.
These are ideas that are municipality seriously needs to consider; I know I would help volunteer to maintain the rink or help with a sponsorship to purchase bleachers and I’m sure there are more out there like me.
I think each community should have a small rink, just as Mitchell’s Bay did. But I don’t think you can neglect the benefits of having a larger rink in a downtown location in Chatham like Tecumseh Park.
This topic is already being addressed with some local organizations in Wallaceburg
Fantastic John! I can’t wait to hear the details.
Great idea. I remember when we used to have hockey practice at McKeough Park on Grand Ave. in Chatham when I was a kid. The feet were frozen, but it was a blast!
I remember that rink, and the cold as well.
Seems to me that there was something in the Tecumseh Park plan re. an area near the Armoury which would be a splash pad in summer and a rink in winter. Of course nothing has happened with any of that plan…..
good luck, Chatham is the banana belt
So they keep telling me. It was -20C at 6am this morning, and I think the crows outside my window have frozen to the tree…
this idea has a lot of merit and as presedent of one of the sevice clubs we are behind it 100% as long as it does not stop there, this ice pad could be the same splash pad in the summer with maybe a small gym type building for a seniors complex and a bowling green as well. look at building the splash pad with 3-4in sides and large enough for 3 fountain heads then we would have a cement base to flood for winter skating and hockey
I can remember when I was quite young & going to Sterling Park to skate in the 40’s. It was a wonderful feeling. I also remember taking my children to Mc Keough Park many years ago in the 50’s & skating with my 2 daughters. At that time no person had a problem with their lungs, due to clean air. Now there are no outdoor rinks & most people do have problems with their lungs & not all due to smoking. We need to get out & get the clean air back into our lungs again. Children need to also learn to appreciate the outdoors more & not so much the t.v. games that they find so much more to the level of todays children. Yes, t.v. games are useful in many ways, but, the fresh air & sportsmanship would be also a great benefit to our young children. I am sure that if all Parents were to see the benefits of an outdoor skating rink, we would certainly be out there as Volunteers to help with whatever is needed. The greatest benefit for young & old alike would be to spend time outdoors, able to breathe, clean air & enjoying this great country of ours as it was intended to be used.
Outdoor rinks are awesome to have for public skating did this all the time in Hamilton as a child. This was at Victoria Park on King St. W. We had the big rink for the public to skate on with no hockey sticks allowed, it was on the baseball diamond, which had the bleachers and dug outs for people to put their things and change to their skates, most of us wore our skates there as we lived near by, 2 city blocks. And two hockey rinks for the hockey players, up on the hill which was the other part of the park, they would board these rinks in so the puck stayed in most of the time. People did pick up games, all the time. There was no fee for skating on these as well, we skated when we wanted to not a few hours at public skating as is done here, which totaly sucks. Was always frustrated as a mother to take my children skating had to wait till it was time not when we wanted to skate. something I could never understand why it was not done here except it don’t make any money, but it sure did give a lot of fun and of course as everyone worries about today exercise, we didn’t have to think that way as we were always doing something. There was also,what we called a Hot house that once in awhile was open but very seldom to get warm and sold Hot Chocolate. Of course the rink was only there when the ice frozen. Many times we skated in slush or an inch or two of water but we loved it. We also had the hill so tobboaganing was there too. Many families were there. Didn’t know what it was to skate on arena ice till I was about 12 years old. Came for a visit to Tilbury. Didn’t like it at first either as I was so use to out door ice. Indoor was too smooth, for me then.
Also to get the fields flooded it was the fire department with their big hoses that flooded the fields and they had a ball doing it too. With the children watching and cheering for the beginning of skating, if they were around to see it. The firemen loved those happy faces, I know our Tilbury boys would love that too I’m sure. I could never understand why it was never done up this way. Beside Tilbury Arena would be perfect here, too. Kids want to skate when they want to skate not just at public skate. We did it late at night lights or no lights a bunch together, always. Just the street lights.
We have 5 well maintained modern tennis courts in Wallaceburg and there are maybe 40 people in a town of over 10000 that uses them.
We also have about 200 kids playing ball hockey & lacrosse in the streets on any given night.
That makes about as much sense as pumping millions into a theatre and closing a hospital.
Our leaders never cease to amaze me!