Learning to skate on Sudbury's outdoor rinks
City has more than 50 neighbourhood rinks which are often quiet, safer places to learn skating
Skating is a winter pastime for many people in northern Ontario, but trying it out can be intimidating for anyone who didn't learn the skill while growing up. In Sudbury, some of the better places to learn are at the many city-owned outdoor rinks, run by volunteers.
The Carmichael Community Centre on the shore of Minnow Lake is one of the more full-featured outdoor rinks in the city. That's where, last weekend, this reporter got back on skates for the first time in more than two decades.
Carmichael's outdoor rink has waist-high boards around its perimeter and fencing near the ends to catch errant hockey pucks. It also features elevated lights for those who want to skate during the evening.
One of the people getting used to the ice under the bright blue skies was Sudbury's Danny Moulelis. She was back on the ice for the first time since last year, after a nasty fall gave her a concussion and ended her skating season.
"Getting back on the ice is kind of terrifying. Because the moment you feel the shakies, you're like, 'oh my goodness, I'm gonna go down.' But it's really freeing to get back to it and actually start skating again," she said.
Moulelis was now sporting a new, white helmet, and said she won't go on the ice without it. She wants to cover it in stickers with slogans like 'concussions suck,' as a message for young people about ice safety.
Despite last year's injury, the joys of being on the ice keep Moulelis coming back to this winter sport, albeit with more protection.
Also on the rink was Stefan Scherzinger. He was on the ice for the first time in 10 years, breaking in a new pair of skates.
"I haven't fallen yet, fingers crossed, but it's good to be back out. It's good exercise," he said, also sporting a helmet.
Scherzinger said he grew up skating on outdoor community rinks, so re-learning to skate on the Carmichael rink brought a feeling of familiarity.
With so many ice options available in the city, the outdoor rinks also tend to be less busy. That's a bonus for people who are still finding their footing.
Volunteers manage outdoor rinks
The amenities at outdoor rinks across Sudbury range widely, from heated indoor dressing rooms to a simple wooden bench in the snow.
Carmichael Playground Association president Richard Charette began the day by shoveling off the ice surface. He then opened the dressing room in the basement of the community centre, linked to the ice surface by a rubber-lined ramp.
"We don't get paid for this, it's just to see a smile on people's faces," he said. "It's a way to open up the community."
Charette gets some help from city workers to clear and flood the ice, but they rotate among many facilities, so volunteers are crucial to keeping these neighborhood rinks open.
"It's a lot of work with the shoveling, but we need more volunteers," he said. "If people want to come and skate and there's snow on the rink, I have plenty of shovels, come and help me. It's faster."
Charette said the neighbourhood rinks are a popular learn-to-skate destination especially because they're offered free of charge. He also oversees an initiative at his rink that teaches new Canadians how to skate.
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