Elkwater is the place to be for those looking to skate.
Volunteers with the Elkwater Community Association worked to get the outdoor rink in the hamlet’s south end open this week — even flooding it overnight.
Association president Dave Ziegenhagel said the warm weather has delayed the rink’s annual opening by nearly a month.
“We usually try to have it open by Dec. 1 but this year has been a real challenge,” Ziegenhagel told CHAT News.
“We had it built in November. We would have been ready to open then there were plus 11 and plus 12 degrees for just about a week straight,” he said.
“It finished us and we had to start from scratch again. So, it’s a lot of work but we are getting her done and it’s great for the community out here.”
Dave Pancoast, one of those volunteers, said he’s looking forward to the community being able to use the rink while they are able to.
“We’re just happy to have it open and hope people come and enjoy it while we have it,” Pancoast said.
“We are thinking the weather is going to turn and we are going to be able to keep it up easier if we could keep some cool weather,” he said.
One skater was ready to go bright and early.
Nine-year-old Rustin Wenzel, taking full advantage of his holiday school break, took to the ice to shoot pucks.
