After years of planning, the Elm Creek Skating Rink is one step closer to realizing their dream of transitioning to artificial ice.
This idea has been tossed around for years but never seemed feasible. Today, however, things have progressed further than they ever have, and an artificial ice plant could become a reality in Elm Creek in the near future.
Elm Creek has one of the last natural ice surfaces in the area and may be the only one still with an independent minor hockey association. So, the town is committed to modernizing as soon as possible.
“We’ve been trying to build up our bank for around 15 years with this project at the heart of our minds,” said board and fundraising committee member Daniel Lepp. “This is what we’ve always wanted to build here in Elm Creek, but the cost of it seemed so far-fetched. But now, we’ve put ourselves in a position where we can reach that goal.”
It cannot be understated how much an artificial ice plant is needed in Elm Creek to ensure reliable ice for the whole winter.
Elm Creek currently boasts five minor hockey teams, one of which is a female-only double roster team. It also offers ringette, public skating, a learn-to-skate program, adult rec hockey, other ice rentals from the community or outside the community, and lots of birthday parties.
“Right now, we usually start in the middle of October and rent ice in St. Claude or Carman until early December or sometimes until Christmas when the ice is good enough at our rink to be ready for our kids,” said Lepp. “And then we’re at Mother Nature’s hand throughout the winter as we might last until the end of February or end of March as it’s a toss-up every year.”
The goal that the fundraising committee is looking for to finalize the artificial ice plant is $450,000. If the remaining funds come in sooner rather than later, the best-case scenario is that the plant would be in for sometime this winter, but the plan is to be ready by the fall of 2025.
The Elm Creek Skating Rink is also building a new building detached from the rink, which will house the ice plant. That building will be put up this summer.
On Aug. 9, the fundraising committee is hosting a golf tournament at Scotswood Links. It’s an 18-hole, Par three tournament with a hole-in-one prize of $10,000 on every hole. The cost to enter is $500 per foursome ($125 per player), which includes a power cart, green fee and meal. It’s a 5 p.m. shotgun start with entertainment going into the evening from “The Rainy Day Apparel.” To register your foursome, you can e-transfer to elmcreekskatingrink@gmail.com.
During the upcoming Canada Day celebrations on July 1, the fundraising committee will be around taking donations for the new plant. There will be a quick presentation over a microphone to talk about the fundraiser and unveil a Corrine Schroeder jersey that will be hung up at the rink for this upcoming winter.
“With the golf tournament, along with another fundraiser in the fall or late fall, with community/business donations, provincial grants, and some other grants that we’re applying for, I think we will be in a pretty good position to raise the full amount.”
If you’re able to donate to the cause, you can contact the RM of Grey to provide a cheque, and the RM will provide a charitable receipt. You can also e-transfer or pay by credit card online to the RM of Grey, just leave a memo that the donation is for the Elm Creek Skating Rink.
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The Elm Creek Skating Rink is looking to raise $450,000 to purchase and install an artificial ice plant that will ensure ice all throughout the fall, winter and spring seasons.
