2009/10 Calgary Outdoor Rink Thread - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

kevman · 12-01-2009, 11:07 AM

So...perhaps this is a little early but I'm getting anxious!

With the colder weather this finally seems somewhat appropriate. What's the status on the outdoor rink by you? Has anybodies rink received it's first flood yet?

The forecast calls for highs of ~-10°C for the next week and as of yesterday Calgary's normal high is below zero until spring. Prime time to make some ice?

Tyler · 12-01-2009, 11:22 AM

Cranston just built a brand new ODR for its new community centre. Painted board and blue/red lines, with lighting, cages and a zamboni (i'm told).

Can't wait for it to open!

Engine09 · 12-01-2009, 11:57 AM

I don't think the rink in South Calgary/Bankview even got flooded last year (behind Alexander Calhoun Library and the Fire Hall on 14th St), went by a few times to check.

Will take a look again later in the week.

yads · 12-01-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

I don't think the rink in South Calgary/Bankview even got flooded last year (behind Alexander Calhoun Library and the Fire Hall on 14th St), went by a few times to check.

Will take a look again later in the week.

The pond was flooded. Played shinny there a bunch of times.

flamesflames444 · 12-01-2009, 02:55 PM

Where are the best ones close to downtown?

HotHotHeat · 12-01-2009, 03:01 PM

There's always great pick up games at the one in Silver Springs. I was by there earlier today, looks like the guys will have it ready to go within the week.

HUGE thanks to anyone that volunteers their time to help with the maintenance of the city's rinks. Arguably, I don't think any other city on earth comes close to the quality and quantity at what we have here. Living in the wet coast for a couple years makes you appreciate having outdoor ice for several months of the year.

pope04 · 12-01-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kryzsky

I don't think the rink in South Calgary/Bankview even got flooded last year (behind Alexander Calhoun Library and the Fire Hall on 14th St), went by a few times to check.

Will take a look again later in the week.

You are correct. I helped out over there the year before with flooding, shoveling, but for some reason last year they never got the rink in. They made one feeble attempt - flooding without clearing or packing down the snow. That sand base is pretty tricky to flood.

No boards, but Stanley Park's looking really good. May be ready to go now!

moncton golden flames · 12-01-2009, 03:06 PM

mayland heights supposedly has the largest lighted outdoor skating surface in town. not sure how true it is, but it is pretty large. no boards, but it did have fencing installed at the ends. i'll check to see when it might get going.

Puppet Guy · 12-01-2009, 03:13 PM

don't know if the rink in Riverbend is done yet, but I wouldn't expect it to be. I don't think it got flooded last winter until January

maverickstruth · 12-01-2009, 03:16 PM

Any ideas on how long something like Bowness Lagoon takes to freeze (since it's not really a rink)?

We're thinking of planning a skating outing with some of my work colleagues on the weekend of the 12/13th, but there's no point in setting anything up if the ice won't be safe by that point.

The forecast makes it look like it might be cold through to then. If the weather holds, I would think it might open in time for us -- but I'm not sure how many consecutive cold days they need for the ice to be safe. And of course, the City's website is not helpful at all...

pope04 · 12-01-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kryzsky

I don't think the rink in South Calgary/Bankview even got flooded last year (behind Alexander Calhoun Library and the Fire Hall on 14th St), went by a few times to check.

Will take a look again later in the week.

Nothing started there yet. I just checked the hockey rink......nada. I didn't think to check the pleasure rink

kevman · 12-02-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamesflames444

Where are the best ones close to downtown?

Rosedale - 11 ave & 7a st NW
Hit or miss ice, boards w/ chain link fence, lit but off the road and it feels "dark", usually empty

Crescent Heights - 11 ave & 2nd st NW (Curling Club)
Decent ice, well lit, boards, warm up/casual ice beside rink, can be quite busy

St. Andrews Heights - 13ave & Hamilton st NW
Occasionally lit, no boards, always empty

Parkdale - 5th ave & 34a st
lights & boards

Briar Hill - 12 ave & 21st st NW
no lights, no boards, half size, lots of little kids

Those are the ones I know of within a reasonable distance of my place in Sunnyside.

FlamesKickAss · 12-02-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pope04

You are correct. I helped out over there the year before with flooding, shoveling, but for some reason last year they never got the rink in. They made one feeble attempt - flooding without clearing or packing down the snow. That sand base is pretty tricky to flood.

No boards, but Stanley Park's looking really good. May be ready to go now!

I drove by there on Saturday evening, people were out playing!

pope04 · 12-02-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

I drove by there on Saturday evening, people were out playing!

Thanks!!

One of the guys that takes care of it has a kid on my son's hockey team. He and his crew take great pride in that rink.

BurningYears · 12-02-2009, 12:18 PM

this makes my pants a little hard thinking about. woo hockey

Classic_Sniper · 12-02-2009, 03:27 PM

Anyone know if there is ice in any deep SE and SW rinks?

kevman · 12-04-2009, 11:01 AM

Went for a little drive last night...

Rosedale
Were flooding the ice as I checked it out...still going to be a few days.

Crescent Heights
Seen a few floods but the ice was still quite rough and not ready

St. Andrews Heights
Flooded once? Frozen slush

Parkdale
Still being used as "storage" no floods yet

Briar Hill
Flooded a few times but has grass poking through still

West Hillhurst
Flooded with grass poking out on one corner, but the surface that is done is quite nice (note: this is a small rink with no boards or lights, ie best for simple skating)

speedog · 12-13-2009, 08:46 PM

Highwood (central NW) just to the north of Cambrian Heights has had ice down in their outdoor rink for over 10 days now. Currently about 3 inches down. Boards, fenced, pavement on cement base and lit. Flooding of kid's area outside of fenced rink has been started.

Rosemont (in Confederation Park) up and running - no boards, on grass, some lighting

North Haven - up and running, pavement or cement base, boards, not fenced, lit

Mount Pleasant outdoor - no boards, on grass, but still no ice

Highland Park - boards, not fenced, on grass, lit, but still no ice

Beddington outdoor - boards, fenced, pavement or cement base, lit, but still appears to be no ice

macker · 12-13-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Anyone know if there is ice in any deep SE and SW rinks?

We have been going to Shawnessy as they have a really good set up. Same deal in Millrise but we prefer Shawnessy as it isn't as busy. Ice Ice baby

Cheerio · 12-13-2009, 09:10 PM

Anyone know about the Signal Hill/Battalion Park ODR?