Mini-Zamboni will resurface outdoor rinks

Outdoor skating rinks are being relocated to within closer proximity of heated comfort stations. Also, the rink ice will also be safer and smoother once it's been resurfaced with a new mini-Zamboni.

The purchase of the Zamboni for $10,142 was approved by city council last Monday evening. It is a smaller version of the famed Zamboni ice resurfacing machine seen in action at public arenas and between periods of major league hockey games.

"It is actually an attachment that will fit on the front of one of our tractors," said Councillor George Bowser, the City's public works commissioner.

"This new piece of equipment will allow us to carry out better maintenance of the ice surface after the rinks are flooded," he added. "It will smooth out the ice surface very quickly and eliminate rough sections and fill in smaller cracks, making for a much better and safer skating rink."

Councillor Cynthia Lulham, a member of the Recreation and Cultural Services standing committee, said the skating rink in Westmount Park, near the tennis court at the west end of the playing field for many seasons, is now going to be within the park adjacent to the comfort station.

The area chosen was once the site of Westmount's first dog run and is also used on Canada Day each year for all-night camp-outs. The rink in Westmount Park and another in King George Park will be well-lit at night and skaters will be able to enjoy music played through loudspeakers.

"We'll be building stairs so that you can go up and down from the comfort station," said Lulham. "The intent is that it allows a place where you can change into your skates and we'll be using our new Zamboni there." Lulham said that at King George Park, the skating rink will be moved to the tennis court. It will also be closer to a comfort station.

"This way we're hoping—as we've invested in this new equipment—that we'll get more use of our rinks. We're going to try to better maintain them and have more lovely central locations. We hope, with the adjacent comfort stations, it will encourage more people to use them."