Okotoks has a new ice surface for residents to cruise on.
Partnering with the Okotoks Lions Club, town staff turned one of the Lions Campground loops into a skating trail, on the heels of last year’s popular loop at Laudan Park
“Last year’s skating loop was super popular and citizens really loved it and we wanted to be able to do it again,” said Town of Okotoks parks manager Christa Michailuck.
“It’s a great location, it’s a bit more sheltered from the elements, and the extra forested conditions improve the aesthetics, and just being so central to downtown just adds to the community feel.
“We had a lot of people saying they hadn’t skated in years and they really enjoyed it, so I think it was just an early positive option for people, other than a traditional skating rink.”
The location was an answer to drawbacks the town found with the Laudan loop.
“We found that the site we used last year was pretty exposed to the elements and got a little too much solar radiation and it was hard to retain the ice for very long,” Michailuck said.
“So we wanted to find a more sheltered location and approached the Lions Club, and they were receptive and wanted to do a pilot and see how it goes down there.”
That partnership has borne fruit with the more central location.
“It’s wonderful to be able to do that, especially with the COVID situation still happening, and the need for people to be physically distanced and still do more physical activities,” Michailuck said.
“So I think it’s a perfect opportunity, and we’re really appreciate of the Lions Club for partnering with the town on this initiative.”
Lions Campground manager Pauline Krause was happy to see skaters enjoy the space in the campground’s winter downtime.
“The Lions support them to be able to go in there and do that,” Krause said. “We’re pleased that we can do it. We were hesitant at first, but then we thought it’s worth a try.”
Should the new initiative be a success for all parties, she added the trail may be expanded to encompass more of the campground’s laneways.
“If it works great, we can connect them and do the whole campground with a double ring.”
Great spaces come with great responsibility, Michailuck pointed out, and both the Lions and town staff wish to see the site treated with respect.
“We’re just asking for the public to be respectful, because the Lions do manage that site and like to keep it in good condition for the campground season,” Michailuck said, adding the fire pits are out of bounds for the time being. “So we ask that people make sure they pack out their litter or use the garbage receptacles provided, and do not use the fire pits or other amenities.”
For Kevin Baumann, who had been skating on the loop for an hour on Jan. 2 with his daughter Makenna skating on the new trail, it was a welcome addition.
“It’s important for kids to have this to go out and enjoy in the winter time instead of being inside,” Baumann said.
The father did wish it were larger similar to the Laudan Park loop, which circled the baseball diamond, with more seating for visitors.
“I think it just needs to be a little bigger, with more seating,” he said. “You’ve got a lot of people out here so you need a little bit more room.”
Okotoks mom Laura Gibney also hit the ice with her husband Kevin and daughters Lucy and Eileen, remarking the central location was better for her family.
“It’s fun to be outside, it’s really close to us and it’s convenient,” Gibney said.
“We want our kids to learn to skate, it’s a fun family activity in Canada.”
For information about the Lions Campground skating trail or other ice surfaces in Okotoks, visit okotoks.ca/rinks.
