It takes a community to make a rink

If you’re Canadian and have never heard the crackle of ice as you dig in and skate hard, you’ve missed a lot. It is a sound that you will not hear wearing an Ipod.

You create it.

I was able to hone my hockey skills for the minor and all-star leagues. One year, the arena burned down and we had to play outdoors on the pad. It was an interesting game looking for the puck while it snowed hard.

I spent a lot of time at the outdoor rink at Ryerson School. The ball or puck would be buried in the snow along the boards. Chasing it was fun. We even had long jump competitions into the mounds of snow. We’d go full tilt and slam our feet into the six-inch-high boards, allowing ourselves become projectiles and flip into the snow. I shouldn’t say this but ... jack_ss comes to mind. I think we were bored, pardon the pun. Hmmm, chiropractor anyone?

That is the beauty of the outdoor rink. Getting outdoors and experiencing the euphoria is more fun than you’ll ever get from watching the NHL, the Olympics or playing video games.

What you really need are volunteers.

 I’ve lived in Preston, Cambridge, all my life. A great community. Why did I volunteer? The last official rink guy at Grandview School quit because of time restraints. I stepped forward because I owe big-time. As a kid, I had great hockey games and winter memories at Ryerson Public School.

Learn by making mistakes. You’ll need a good base by packing down the snow and spraying water over it. Bone-chilling weather and working alone gives you lots of time to think. After a snow fall, I tried packing the snow with my cross-country skis. I watered it with the hose but it created brown spots. Hint: you need a sprayer to start. It warmed up and all the snow melted. It left a pond with ground showing at each end. Hint: You need cold temperatures.
Another day, I put the hose on without a washer and turned on the water. My hands got soaked and then froze while trying to shut off the water. I quit and went home early.

My pond froze a bit and it snowed again. With six inches of snow, I stomped the whole ground with sprayer in hand. I did a dance. Since I found out last summer that I have Canadian aboriginal blood in my ancestry, I thought of my heritage and how sacred our land is (I told you I had lots of time to think).

The next night, a helper rented a roller and we rolled it both ways. A light mist over the packed snow created air pockets. The next morning (-10C), I was able to soak it without the sprayer. I could spray water on the thin ice and let water penetrate into the air pockets. To my delight, I had covered all the lumps and bumps.

Early Saturday morning was a beautiful sunrise. Blue hues in the snow and brilliant lighting because of the wall of storm clouds in the distance blocking the sun. My thoughts went deeper than my Canadian heritage. I thought of Jesus, whose Father created the sun, clouds, water, earth and stars. Jesus would have witnessed a variety of beautiful sunrises. I felt privileged to be able to see the same things he did, to enjoy His Father’s creation. I thanked Him for the moments.

I returned in the afternoon and evening to lay down a good layer of water because of the bone-chilling cold weather.

Here is list of what you need.
1. Committed people, the more the better.
2. Faith or patience, due to our up-and-down weather.
3. Freezing temperatures. Bone-chilling (when you’d rather be in bed under the blankets) is best.
4. Large supply of water, long hose, roller and sprayer.
5. Time
6. A community that will use it.

Finally, stay warm and dry. Wear protective clothing and have extra mitts.
It would be easier to stay at home and watch television, but I would miss out on the spirit of serving the community and getting to know different helpers.

ISign on the boards “THANK YOU” to those who made this possible: Gillies Lumber, Cambridge Rent-all, Sherwin-Williams Paint, Dakota Dax Lands, City of Cambridge, Waterloo Region District School Board, Grand View Parent Council and Grand View Parent Volunteers.

I would like to add all those nameless volunteers all over Canada but especially at Ryerson School for having created my great winter memories. My greatest desire is to return the favour so others can enjoy.

I can never figure out why everyone stays inside in winter or goes down south. Summer comes and these same people stay inside and crank up the air conditioning. Get out there this winter! We have the greatest air conditioning in the world.

Welcome to Canada.

Creating a rink l The Great One l Super Spiritual l back to top l What's New
The Great One

I’m feeling better than Wayne Gretzky and I didn’t even need to score a goal. This past winter I volunteered to help make and maintain an outdoor rink. We had lots of snow cold winter nights and much success. My wife and boys said I was obsessed; every evening around 9:30–10, I left, packing hose, shovel and ice skates. No one would help.

Why would I do it?

I love the solitude. I love sports. I felt like a hero. I'm a legend in my own mind, bigger than “The Great One.”

The hose felt like a quarter mile. Lugging it out to the car, I felt like Kevin Costner from the movie The Guardian. He's almost as good looking as me.

THE GUARDIAN, a thrilling story of courage and sacrifice of the Coast Guard rescue swimmers, a special breed of men and women who risk their lives in the biggest storms and against terrifying waves in service to the motto: "So that others may live!"

Upon arrival at the school, I had to clear off the old ice and snow. I slapped on a pair of skates and snow plowed the rink with shovel in hand. No one tells me how to do it unless they want to join in!

I take great pride in my work. I have not been there during the day but am told that scores of people use and enjoy it. One evening, arriving too early, I ended up playing hockey with some of the kids. It was exhilarating.

There are always certain areas of the ice that are not perfect (soft sections, holes or cracks, slushy sidelines, snow along the boards or snow-covered rink. Imperfections, lumps and bumps helps develops balance and character. Make the best of it. I'm always in great shape due to skating, shovelling and cross country skiing.

My efforts may not pump out another Wayne Gretzky, a Canadian legend who started on the imperfect outdoor rink.  If kids enjoy it, it is well worth my suffering and sacrifice. My hope is that I pass on this legacy of winter bliss. Check out my more spiritual ice rink story...the next story

Creating a rink l The Great One l Super Spiritual l back to top l What's New

Super Spiritual ice rink story

As I created the outdoor rink those dark, cold nights, I thought of myself as God creating a paradise. A place of fun, sport, fellowship and community. While working diligently, I thought what if no one uses this place or rink?

Our Heavenly Father not only created the earth and all that is in it, but is working on a paradise for all to visit, freely. He only wants us to thank Him and also tell others about Him.

We do have an arena where we can join in and get together with others to thank Him. It is called a church. If you’re not into that, then speak to Him in your heart. He is all-seeing and knowing and will take great delight. I have written other ice rink stories . . . getting outside in the cold gives you lots of time to think . . .

Bob Vautour Graphic Designer & photographer, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

Creating a rink l The Great One l Super Spiritual l back to top l What's New