Richard Froese
South Peace News

Big Lakes County continues to pursue a proposal to upgrade an outdoor skating rink in Grouard to possibly include winter and summer usage.

At its regular meeting Oct. 23, council received a repair summary report for information. The report cites the estimated cost to repair is over $300,000.

Council further approved a motion to direct administration to work with the Grouard Seniors Community Club and the community to explore other options to upgrade the facility.

The rink, located at the corner of First Ave. and First St. NE, was reviewed to determine potential upgrades to the rink and site to improve usability, safety and access, Ben Letemplier, director of public works, told council.

“Administration estimates the cost to complete suggested repairs and upgrades in the report would be $350,000 or more,” said Letemplier.

At its regular meeting Aug. 14, council passed a notice of motion from Grouard Councillor Jeff Chalifoux that administration and the community jointly plan and develop a strategy to renovate and upgrade the rink.

Chalifoux brought the notice forward after many local residents requested the rink be upgraded and ready to use in the 2024-25 winter season.

“Can we explore options – all the options?” Chalifoux asked at the latest meeting.

The Grouard Seniors Club currently owns and manages the structure.

However, Letemplier told council the project does not meet Big Lakes’ updated community upgrade policy.

Community projects shall mean a capital or maintenance project that involves infrastructure or assets that will be under the care and control of Big Lakes County and are located on municipal property, the policy states.

Maintenance of the rink has not been a council responsibility to this point because it was understood at the time the rink was constructed that the community recreation group would be responsible to maintain the rink, Letemplier said.

He added the rink structure was granted as a gift to the community from Northern Lakes College.

The used outdoor skating rink structure was constructed around 2018 and originally owned and managed by the Grouard Community Association that leased the county land east of the Grouard Municipal Services Building across from Grouard Northland School.

Over winter in 2018-19, some the boards collapsed and around 2020, the GCA dissolved.

Although the boards were repaired, the rink has not been maintained for many years.

An aerial photo shows the rink is more of a square shape than a standard rectangular shape.

North Gilwood – Triangle Councillor Jim Zabolotniuk suggested the rink be realigned.

“I think the rink is too big for that area,” Zobolotniuk said.

“They could downsize it.”

He asked how much the rink was utilized when it was functional.

Chalifoux responded.

“It is one of the community priorities,” he said.

“In the winter, it gets used.”

Currently, the rink is used only for winter skating activities due to the current setup, said Letemplier.

“Further improvements to the rink would allow for year-round enjoyment for the community,” he added.

“The development of the site access, parking, drainage and the rink surface would greatly increase the usability of this site.”