'One-of-a-kind skating experience': Here's how a Regina lake was transformed into a regulation hockey rink
For the first time ever, Saskatchewan’s most popular lake is home to a regulation-size hockey rink.
The idea for the Rink on Wascana, located near the legislative building on Regina's Wascana Lake, was three years in the making.
Ryan Whippler, the acting CEO for the Provincial Capital Commission, said crews had to start with environmental testing to ensure the specific area of the lake was safe to use.
“Once we got the green light on that, it started with construction and production of the ice,” he said. “It started with our maintenance team. Their first step was testing the ice to make sure it was at least 19 inches thick.”
Crews then cleared snow off the area and began flooding the rink.
Boards, lighting, washrooms and a warming shelter were also installed at the site.
Whippler said it took about two weeks to complete from the first time crews went out to begin clearing the surface.
“The ice rink will be checked by our maintenance staff every single day to make sure the ice thickness is there. They’ll scrape it as needed and will be flooding it probably every two to three days,” Whippler said.
A team of four to six people will use pumps and lake water to flood the surface.
The rink is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and is free for the public to use.
(Gareth Dillistone/CTV Regina)
Don McMorris, minister responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission, said the rink is just one more tool to draw visitors to Wascana Park throughout the winter.
“This is a $200,000 investment which hosts a world class NHL-size rink,” McMorris said. “The Rink on Wascana will provide a one-of-a-kind skating experience with the background of our very own Legislature, which is a great photo op.”
When the rink opened on Thursday, members of Skate Regina were some of the first to test the ice.
“It’s really nice to have sunshine. We’re not used to having the sun shining on us while we’re skating. We’re usually indoors with no windows, so it’s fun. It’s a different experience, that’s for sure,” Garrett Gosselin, a member of Skate Regina, said. “It’s a good way to embrace the winter and to keep community activities rolling, because we really need that throughout the winter.”
(Gareth Dillistone/CTV News)
The Rink on Wascana will act as one hub for Regina’s upcoming Frost Festival.
The festival is mostly outdoors and features a number of winter activities, exhibits and music around the city.
As Omicron cases continue to surge across Saskatchewan, festival organizers say they are keeping a close eye on case numbers and are keeping in touch with local health officials.
“The risk of COVID-19 is as high as it’s ever been and Omicron is certainly in our city. We’re seeing cases rise and we’re seeing that put a strain on our healthcare system,” Tim Reid, co-chair of the Frost Festival, said. “We should be prepared for potential changes around health orders. Even if that doesn’t happen, we should do everything possible to augment not only our public service advisories, but our masking and physical distancing.”
Reid said at this point, the Frost Festival is still going ahead as planned.
It is scheduled to run from Feb. 4-13, with events and activities at Wascana Park, Evraz Place, Regina’s Warehouse District and downtown.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.