Phil Goguen swaps his skates for socks at the Ray Benoit Outdoor Rink, Jan. 15. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo
Skaters, hockey players and observers got outside over the weekend to enjoy outdoor rinks around town.
The Ray Benoit rink in particular was in spectacular condition for minor hockey teams aiming to keep their skills sharp or for four-on-four pond hockey tournament teams to begin working off the rust in preparation for the annual tournament later this winter.
Kids enjoyed the ice on Jan. 15—like Willow Fabian and family—there celebrating her sixth birthday.
Town of Hay River director of recreation Stephane Millette reported during the Jan. 10 regular meeting of Council that the municipality had done much to prepare the Ray Benoit and old town rinks with snow removal and regular flooding.
Boards to surround the sheet were delivered and installed at the newer rink at the West Point First Nation playground— thanks to the partnership between the municipality and the First Nation.
So long as the weather stays moderate, Millette said the Town’s facilities should offer residents a solid opportunity to get outdoors for recreation and fresh air, especially as the recreation centre remains closed for the time being due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Phil Goguen, Matt Miller, Anthony Doiron, Peter Beaton, and Pat Morris hit the ice on Jan. 15 to warm up to begin warming up for the Polar Pond Hockey tournament in March. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photoShayne Fabian joins Willow Fabian, six, and Miley Fabian, seven for a huddle before leaving the rink, Jan. 15. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photoHarley Tambour, right, fits a skate on the foot of his nine-year-old daughter Jewel during a skate at the Ray Benoit Outdoor rink, Jan. 15. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photoMiley Fabian, seven, glides across the ice surface at the Ray Benoit Outdoor rink, Jan. 15. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photoWillow Fabian, six, chases a rolling puck at the Ray Benoit Outdoor Rink, Jan 15. Willow was celebrating her sixth birthday with family and friends and marking it with outdoor adventures with loved ones. SimonWhitehouse/NNSL photoThe Ray Benoit rink in the 553 neighbourhood welcomed skaters and hockey players over the weekend of Jan. 15. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photoSeveral users on Jan. 15 gleefully commended the quality of the ice surface after the Town arranged Zamboni treatment and clearing at the Ray Benoit rink. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photoMiley Fabian, seven, tears up the rink with friends and family the afternoon of Jan. 15. Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo
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