Category: Outdoor Rink (ODR)

Messages about the seasonal ice rink in Champlain Park.

Rink Shovelling Needed!

Subject: Help with snow from storm Champlain Rink
Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2020 13:44:26 +0000
From: <redacted>

The snow plow was able to remove a lot of snow from the big storm we had. He was able to remove a lot of the snow but he’s having issues with the large snow banks along the boards. He’s heading back to the rink but we need your help.

Anyone that is available this morning to help push the snow off the boards or has a snowblower available we would greatly appreciate all the help we can get.

The plow is heading to the rink this morning so please let me know if you can help out.

<redacted>

Community Bonfire – February 22

Champlain Park Community Bonfire 2020

When: Saturday, February 22nd, 3-5pm
Where: North End of Champlain Park

Bonfire Panorama.

3rd Annual SJAM bonfire will be lit, Saturday, February 22nd, 2020 ; 3 – 5pm

For the last two years, our community bonfires have been a roaring success! Once again, you are invited out of hibernation on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. to meet around a neighbourly bonfire at the edge of the SJAM Trail. Come for a skate on the Champlain Park outdoor rink, or a XC ski or fatbike on the SJAM trail — and warm up with a hot drink around the bonfire. A City of Ottawa open-air fire permit will be secured once again for this event and the burning spot will be at the north end of Champlain Park, near the link with the NCC woods.
Continue reading “Community Bonfire – February 22” →

Rink Status Update

Looks like the rink will be closed on Tuesdays (not Mondays), and weekdays run earlier, from 5pm to 8pm. There’s a hope for it to be ready by January 13th. Current schedule and other information at https://champlainpark.org/park/the-rink/ Here’s the message from our rink coordinator…

Subject: Re: Champlain Rink Opening – ODR
Date: Wed, 8 Jan 2020 19:38:40 +0000
From: <redacted>

Hello. I have the supervision schedule all set for next week. I have 4 high school volunteers.

The city pushed back the opening of rinks to Monday January 13. It’s supposed to rain Friday and Saturday.

The plan is to go to the rink Thursday with a snow plow to pack down the snow that’s there. Then let the rain cover the rink for 2 days. Then it should be up and running next week with the cold weather.

It might not be ready Monday but it will be ready shortly after.

I have two or three people that have offered to help with maintenance. I will definitely need help next week.

<redacted>

Rink Status Update

Subject: Champlain Rink Opening
Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2019 20:04:10 +0000
From: <redacted>

Hello everyone. Happy holidays. The City has indicated to all rink operators that they want the rinks open Friday, January 10th.

Note from the City of Ottawa:

“Beginning of building base ice is on January 3rd, 2020. Typically, we account for base ice to take between 5-7 days, so we would ask that ice be ready for January 10th, 2020.”

I will keep everyone updated. So far I have one volunteer for supervision. He is a 14 year old high school student. He cannot do all 20 hours so I will still need some more paid volunteers. I will need a two to four more volunteers to fill the 20 hours per week.

<redacted>

Rink 2019/2020 Information

(from https://champlainpark.org/park/the-rink/)
Continue reading “Rink Status Update” →

Community Bonfire – February 10

Champlain Park Community Bonfire 2019

When: Sunday, February 10th, 3-5pm
Where: North End of Champlain Park

Last year, our first Community Bonfire in Champlain Park was a roaring success. Once again, community event organizers Jim Cocks and Bill Baggs, who initiated this hot idea, invite neighbours out of hibernation on Sunday afternoon (3-5 p.m.) February 10, to meet around a burning fire, skate on the outdoor rink, or ski on the SJAM groomed trail.

Bonfire Panorama.

The bonfire is located at the north end of our park near the link to NCC woods and the baseball diamond.

Our enthusiastic Councillor, Jeff Leiper, his assistant, Fiona Mitchell, and city workers sponsor the event by securing the open-air fire permit and the fire pit, contributing marshmallows, s’mores materials, hot chocolate and cups. Bushtukah and Bridgehead also lend support. It is a great opportunity to warm up with friends in the community after some winter outdoor fun!

Rink Update

Following up on the previous call to shovels, https://champlainpark.org/2019/01/23/snow-shovelling-critical-time-for-the-rink/ here’s a message from Jim Kot (sorry for the delay, was busy shovelling the driveway and roof before things freeze up).

——– Forwarded Message ——–
Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2019 11:14:10 -0500 (EST)
From: kris.tom <kris.tom@sympatico.ca>

Please pass on a big thank you to all who helped shovel, mother nature has kindly watered so the ice should be ready for the winter carnival.

Snow Shovelling Critical Time for the Rink!

Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2019 16:23:04 -0500 (EST)
From: kris.tom <kris.tom@sympatico.ca>

Hi Champlain Park

Urgent request to shovel the the snow that has fallen between 4:00 and 6:00 pm in preparation for the rain.

If shovellers could arrive at about 6:30 pm for about half an hour we should be in good shape to save the rink for the carnival.

Thank you.

Please past this message on

Jim Kot

Rink Operational and Christmas Tree Reuse

Just two small items…

Skaters have been seen on the Champlain Park Outdoor Rink, which implies it is useable now! More details about the rink hours, facilities and the need for volunteers at https://champlainpark.org/park/the-rink/

The SJAM Winter Trail is collecting cleaned up Christmas Trees for use as a windbreak. Leave them at the Remic Rapids outhouse.