Rink: Call for Support

Champlain Park Outdoor Rink – call for community support!

Hello Champlain Park residents and friends,

We’re happy to let you know that the Champlain Park Community Association (CPCA) will be taking on the task of building and maintaining the Champlain Park outdoor rink for the 2022/23 season. A huge thanks to our neighbours, Paul O’Blenes and Rod Gillyatt, who have volunteered as rink maintenance coordinators this year! Both worked with Matt during the past two years.

We’re also grateful to Aimee Ferron, who is taking on the rink supervision contract again, as she has done for the past two years.

We are looking for volunteers for both Maintenance and Supervision (separate duties).

Maintenance: Maintenance needs will be a mix of regularly scheduled tasks, as well as ad hoc calls for help, depending on weather events and conditions (such as shovelling snow before a thaw or small frequent clearings during a blizzard). A large volunteer network will help ensure we maximize the number of days the rink is open. To volunteer for Maintenance email: champlainparkrink@gmail.com

Supervision: Rink attendants are responsible for supervising the rink and managing the use of the field house during scheduled open hours. Shifts are typically between 1-3 hours and scheduling is flexible. Attendants must be 14 yrs and older. Students, this is a fun way to help out your community and also get your volunteer hours. Questions on Supervision email Aimee: aimee.ferron@gmail.com or just sign up at the link. If you, or someone you know, is interested in volunteering for Supervision, please sign up here: https://forms.gle/gMRta5vMfQv3pCmT6

We welcome students looking to fulfill their community hour requirements for both types of duties.

We are also happy to report that the City has purchased limited group Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) benefits coverage for the Outdoor Rink Operators and their volunteers. Benefits will be available for rink operators and their volunteers who sustain a qualifying injury while completing rink maintenance and supervision duties. To be included in the City’s accident insurance coverage volunteers will need to register individually and will be provided with instructions on how to do so. There is no cost and we would like everyone who volunteers for rink duties to be included.

This new benefit was obtained due to extensive advocacy initiated by the FCA (Federations of Citizens Associations), and involving many community organizations. I was intensively involved with these negotiations on behalf of CPCA and as part of the FCA working group.

Note that volunteers over the age of 18 may require police record checks. These can be obtained free of charge with a letter from CPCA, and the application can be done online. Instructions will be provided.

Looking forward to a happy and safe winter on the Champlain Park ODR!

Lynne Bankier