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| Richelieu Park |
By Rachel Muston
Outdoor activities are a proven way to beat the winter blues and here in Vanier there are plenty of activities from which to choose. One way to enjoy the great outdoors is by skating at one of four outdoor rinks.
1. Optimiste Park (between Marquette and Ste-Cécile). This rink is maintained by City of Ottawa crews. Hockey players take note - the rink has boards. As there is no supervision, use of the rink is on a first-come first-served basis. Note that there are no washrooms as the pool building is closed for the winter. However there are lights so the rink can be enjoyed day and night.
2. Richelieu Park (300 des Pères Blancs). This rink has a long history and has been on the same site for over 50 years! The Vanier Rink Rats establish and maintain the rink each winter thanks to the help of a number of volunteers and a small grant from the City. This money is used to buy equipment like shovels, a snow blower, waterproof gloves, etc. In true community spirit, the Rink Rats donate any money that is left over at the end of the season to the local food bank. Like the rink at Optimiste Park, there are lights and boards. Washrooms are available in the adjacent community centre (hours of operation). The rink is a true public rink – which means no bookings and anyone is free to use it at anytime (groups are not allowed to exclude others from using the rink at the same time).
3. St Paul’s Park (admittedly, located just beyond Vanier’s former boundary, between Donald and Moorvale, but are we still keeping track?). This rink has lights, meaning it too can be used day and night. There are also washrooms and a field house. Use of the rink is on a first-come first-served basis but can be booked for an event or hockey game. To book the rink at St. Paul’s Park, fill in the online Outdoor Rink Permit form. Note: This rink is not yet operational for 2014.
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| St. Ambroise Park |
4. St. Ambroise Park (off Landry) This cute puddle rink is a relatively new addition to Vanier and looks to be in great shape for 2014. There are no lights, boards, washrooms or supervision, but it’s a great rink for little ones.
Want to get involved? Two of the four rinks are actively looking for volunteers:
1. The Vanier Rink Rats are always looking for volunteers to help with flooding or shovelling the rink at Richelieu Park. If you are interested, contact the Vanier Rink Rats at stefancherry@yahoo.com or pigeon@primus.ca.
2. Due to a shortage of volunteers, the rink at St. Pauls Park is not yet up and running. If you would like to help get it started or help maintain it, contact the Seasonal Recreation Office at 613-580-2590 or via email at seasonalrecreation@ottawa.ca
For more skating and winter fun, be sure to mark the Vanier Winter Carnival on your calendar, set to occur on February 15 (at Richelieu Park). Hockey games are some of the events being planned (with one team involving members of the Ottawa Police).
Photo Credits: (top) Mike Steinhauer, 2012; (centre) Rachel Muston, 2014. Map: VanierNow