The idea of an outdoor ice skating rink in Chatham-Kent could become a reality for residents if a city councillor has their way.
South Kent Councillor Anthony Ceccacci is requesting municipal staff to develop a report identifying possible locations and funding sources for a temporary outdoor ice skating area.
"Living in rural areas, there are creeks or ponds available to skate on but that’s not always the case for families in urban areas that lack transportation," said Ceccacci. "And every time the arenas closed with the weather being cold, I saw posts and inquiries about safe places skate."
Ceccacci explained that many municipalities have temporary outdoor ice areas that can be easily assembled in the winter months in a cost-effective manner. He said the idea is to have one in Chatham-Kent that can be set up on municipal property during the winter.
"Chatham-Kent has had a significant increase in the utilization of parks, trails, and other outdoor activities," the report read. "Recreational activities and sports are of extreme importance to our community, especially our youth."
Due to the challenging workload the infrastructure team has had, Ceccacci said he is asking for the report to come back to council for discussion in June. If approved, the outdoor skating area would potentially be assembled in a central location for the next winter season.
"It’s a Canadian pass time and I think that would be a great municipal asset that's an affordable outdoor family activity," said Ceccacci.
