Thanks to the tireless efforts of local volunteers - and Mother Nature's recent cold snap - the ice rinks at the Wychwood Carbarns are now open for business.

The City has also helped out, with Parks & Rec officially sponsoring the rink and providing the hoses and hydrant opening equipment needed to maintain it.

P&R Supervisor Mike Krabi was also kind enough to donate a pair of hockey nets, much appreciated by those who enjoy playing Canada's national sport the way it was meant to played - out in the open on a cold day.

In addition to a rink for hockey, there is a pleasure skating area that has two circles and an actual official "loop-de-doo". No doubt some aspiring Manleys and Stoykos will be seen there, twirling about.

The rinks are maintained daily by members of the community, known to all as 'The Lords of the Rinks". This involves shovelling and patching, as well as cleaning up. Flooding is done every day in minus zero weather at around 6 am and again at 8 or 9 pm

Extra hands are always welcome and shovelling is the best way to help. If you are the last on the ice, please be sure to shovel before you leave, thus leaving it in good shape for the next skaters or for those who have to work on it.

If you too would like to become a "Lord of the Rinks" and have your name to be added to the volunteer call up list simply email your name and phone number (email).

There are many names already on that list and Roscoe and others from A New Park would like to extend a special thank you to them all.

Further updates will be posted on the New Park website so be sure to check from time-to-time. (www.anewpark.ca)

This article based on information provided by Cookie Roscoe from A New Park.