By John Chenier
The uncooperative weather we’ve experienced so far this winter has posed serious challenges to those trying to make the ice at both of Lowertown’s rinks. To make good ice, you need a nice blanket of snow and lots of cold weather, preferably in that order. Not enough snow or not enough cold weather, or too much of either at the wrong time can make things very difficult.
In Lowertown West, Justin Dyet coordinates a group of community volunteers who have taken on the task of making and maintaining the ice at Bingham Park (Dalhousie and Cathcart) on behalf of the Lowertown Community Association.
In Lowertown East, Claude Tremblay coordinates the efforts of community volunteers at Jules Morin Park. These groups receive $4,200 each from the city for running the rinks for the entire season.
The challenges facing east and west locations are quite different. The boards at the Bingham rink are erected each year by city staff over a sloping grass surface that in the summer serves as the baseball diamond.
It takes a thick slab of ice to level the ground and to cover the rubber that sits atop the pitcher’s mound. Over at Jules Morin, the NHL-sized rink has the benefit of permanent – and much better looking – boards and an asphalt base. This hard-packed, level surface gives the icemakers at Jules Morin a decided advantage over the Bingham crew.
Whatever the surface, the procedure is the same: you start the ice pad by packing down and levelling a snow base and then flooding it for several days, until a smooth surface emerges. Of course it’s much easier to spell it out than to actually do it, especially when the weather refuses to cooperate. Fortunately for residents of Lowertown, the ice-making crews have persevered and the rinks are officially open.
When it comes to seniority, the Bingham Park rink seems to hold the bragging rights, with newsworthy events reported as far back as the 1920s – while citizens were still petitioning for a hockey rink at Anglesea Square in the 1930s. By the 1950s, however, the focus on rinks had shifted to covered arenas with indoor artificial ice, with Anglesea /Jules Morin touted as a potential site. However, in what may be a mixed blessing from the standpoint of community building, the indoor arena to serve Ottawa’s eastern wards went to Sandy Hill.
Over the decades, the Lowertown rinks have experienced an ebb and flow of the city’s role and community activity. City-appointed caretakers have been replaced by community volunteers. Competitive speed skating and outdoor hockey leagues, which in days gone by filled outdoor bleachers, have now moved to indoor rinks. Also gone are the annual winter carnivals that would attract thousands of participants, and the “Skate to Music” programs of the 1940s that had couples gliding around the oval rinks. Most organized hockey and figure skating classes happen indoors these days, but it takes many hours of practice to develop the skills of a champion.
So it may be that the next time you walk by one of our rinks and see someone skating like the wind, you may be seeing a future Gretzky, Béliveau, Browning or Manley busy honing their skills. After all, Lowertown ice legends King Clancy, who was known as the Babe Ruth of hockey, and Jack Barber, the internationally known speed skater, developed their skills on our local outdoor rinks. Or, you may simply be entertained at the sight of someone who, for the first time, is facing the challenge of remaining precariously balanced on two thin blades on a slippery surface.
Just keep in mind that after all the skaters have gone home for the night, a dedicated crew of volunteers will be out scraping and flooding the rink so that we all, spectator and participant alike, may find enjoyment in the Ottawa winter.
On that note, don’t forget that some Lowertown traditions are making a comeback. In the past several years, hundreds have shown up for free food, fun and skating at Winterfest, held annually at Jules Morin Park on Family Day – February 16th this year. Hope to see you there!