There have been lots of good things going on at the rink for the last two months. We were able to open up for programming a week before December and have been going strong since. The number of participants for December was very impressive: 505 people came out to skate. January will have close to the same numbers or even higher. The many renovations that have been done to get the rink up and running properly, and all the positive press, has helped to promote our community. The positive impact to our community due to having a program with this amount of activity is wonderful and I can’t say thank you enough for all the hard work of Ted Green, Al Hamilton, Father Jim Holland, and Lyle Kulchisky (Sparky). With their help we are able to open seven days a week and have a safe, warm place for the neighbourhood kids (big and small) to come.

Their hard work doesn’t end there. Before the trailer could be brought onto the property, the City wanted a commitment from the community that we would work towards having a permanent building in the next five years. Al Hamilton has been working very hard at raising money for this permanent building. His two biggest concerns was that it could be built and paid for by raising money, and that the facility be built for the purpose of the intended programming. Lastly, they all want to see the rink successful year round and are working to begin having programming for kids this spring and summer by opening up for other community activities like ball hockey, basketball, and community get-togethers.

Another renovation took place at the rink. The lights were replaced with some new, brighter ones. A big thank you goes out to Eric Fadden of Electrician Installations Ltd. for donating his time to install the lights. Without the kind generosity of people like Eric, we would not be able to have improvements like this.

I am also very excited to announce that we applied for a grant through the City of Edmonton Neighbourhood Revitalization program for $15,561.33 to purchase a John Deere tractor with a sweeper and snow blower attachment. We got the good news in the middle of December that we were receiving the money to purchase the tractor. I want to give a very big thank you to Jane Molstad for all her help and assistance.

This brings me to an event that was held on December 27: the fourth annual McCauley Cup. It’s an event that allows the community to play some shinny hockey with the Downtown Division beat cops. It gives an opportunity for kids and adults to know the police in a different light. It also allows the police to get to know the community better. It was below minus 20 and the rink was packed full with police, kids, and community members. To see so many kids smiling along with the police is priceless! New this year was the McCauley Cup trophy that was sponsored by the Edmonton Police Foundation. There were lots of sandwiches to eat, hotdogs to roast, and hot chocolate to drink. We even had three former NHLers come out to skate, Edmonton Oiler Jason Strudwick, Pittsburg Penguin Rob Brown, and Philadelphia Flyer Dan Kordic. Al Hamilton, former Edmonton Oil King and first ever Edmonton Oilers captain, came out and signed cards for all the kids.

In order to make such a big event successful it takes a lot of help so we would like to thank the following people and businesses:

• Sgt. David Kabyn, whose hard work putting this event together doesn’t go unnoticed and we appreciate all that he does to make it work.
• EPS Deputy Police Chief Brian Simpson.
• All the Downtown Division beat police and police members.
• Al Hamilton
• Ted Green
• Father Jim Holland
• Lyle Kulchisky (Sparky)
• Joan Kirillo
• Jack Basterash (Challenger Insurance)
• Noreenn Remtulla (EPS Media Communications Advisor)
• Kevin Radomski from the Oilers Foundation (tents, puzzles, toques, and Edmonton Oilers sticks)
• EPS K-9 unit (plush teddy bears)
• Christine Johnson from Absolute Events and Conferences
• Trace Associates
• Hertz Rentals (heaters),
• Tim Horton’s on 107street and Jasper Ave (coffee, donuts, and muffins),
• United Cycle (jerseys)
• Renato Frattin, Italian Bakery (hotdog buns and donuts)
• McCauley Community League
• Dan Kordic
• Jason Strudwick
• Rob Brown
• Nick Magis (game referee)

My apologies if I forgot anyone.

The next big event is the Family Day rink party on February 18 from noon to 5 p.m. There will be hotdogs, marshmallows, hot chocolate, prizes, sleigh rides, and lots of fun.

For more information on Family Day or any of the rink programs please contact me at (780) 729-4363.