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Goderich Signal Star, 2017-01-04, Page 32 Signal Star. • Wednesday, January 4, 2017 ►.wtm.di�it� Volunteers pose on one of the two rinks for a picture on Dec. 17, the day before the ice surfaces were opened to the public for skating. Victoria Park outdoor rinks open for shinny, skating Darryl Coote Editor It's been game on at the Victoria Park outdoor skating rinks since Goderich council- lor Trevor Bazinet officially opened them up to the public the aftemoon of Dec. 18, 2016, after'weeks of work. In the seven days leading up to the unceremonious opening, Bazinet said he had put in a good 40 hours get- ting the rinks up to snuff. "The week's been a lot of work, not going to lie," the councillor said with a laugh. GODERICH 524-7811 Fri &Sat 6:45&9:15 Sun - Thur 7:30 Sat & Sun Mat 1:30 IP.— Nat Reconmended for Yong Chiciren PG .'mss Nr f' • r ^ Car www.movielinks.ca { OCAA-5w- ON E Fri &Sat 6:45 & 9:15 Sun - Thur 7:30 Sat & Sun Mat 1:30 0 long distance'1-800-265-3438 "I've had a number of volun- teers come over and help when they can. It's a lot of work to do this and I hope people will appreciate this and I'm sure they will." This is the third year of the two outdoor rinks but the first year they have been open before Christmas, Bazi- net said, adding that he is glad about that as it gives school students on break something active to do dur- ing the holidays. The rink is not only for kids but for all community members, which what gives Bazinet the most satisfaction about this project. "The satisfaction for me is you get to see all ages over * - HAVE A BALLThis Holiday Season 11.2 ?2 0pes LICIT 1H al II a • Let us help you throw the party no one will want to miss! IS GOING TO BE GREAT info@littlebowl.ca 519 -524 -BOWL (2695) 204 Huron Road, Goderich www.Iittlebowl.ca Two youth volunteer to be human zambonis and shovel snow from the ice in the days•leading up to.the rinks' opening. The Goderich Outdoor Rinks' Facebook page Goderich councillor Trevor Bazinet takes a setfie with one of the two rinks behind him. here enjoying it," he said. "It's not just for the young kids, it's also for the senior people who are over here in the morning enjoying it as well. And whenever I come over people are always thanking me and they have smiles on their faces and enjoying themselves and that's what it's all about, It's providing something free, outdoors for the community to take advantage of." However, Bazinet sees more of a future for the rinks and is in talks with Nadine VandenHeuvel of Goderich's Fit Body Boot Camp about organizing a 3 -on -3 tourna- ment during this upcoming February's ICEtacular winter festival in town. He said it would be expanding an alreadyposi- tive festival. "[It's] just another fun event to add to our winter fest. We want to provide dif- ferent things for different ages in our community that weekend. Last year ... there was snow pitch and we're going to do hockey if we can," he said. This is all dependant on weather, of course, as it would not have been possi- ble to hold the tournament last year as the temperatures were too warm. But from the looks of it, Bazinet thinks the rinks could be up and running until march. The cost of the rinks per yare runs between $4,000 and $6,000 all of which he said comes from donations and sponsorship. Those wishing to use the ice for either shinny hockey or pleasure skating are asked only to ensure the area is kept clean and to give the ice a once over before leaving. "All I ask is for people to keep it clean and before they leave to grab a shovel and shovel off some snow, he said.