The Riverside Park rink will be run by the City of Medicine Hat until new volunteers step forward. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat seeks new outdoor rink volunteers after closure complaints

Jan 13, 2025 | 4:07 PM

Medicine Hat is looking for new volunteers to maintain one of its outdoor rinks after a longtime caretaker quit the role after people complained about closures, officials say.

Dave Genio, the city’s superintendent of parks operations, confirmed that volunteers maintaining the Riverside Park rink had quit after anonymous posts to social media Sunday evening.

“It is unfortunate to hear that somebody has decided to move on from volunteering for us,” Genio told CHAT News on Monday.

The complaints to the city were about the rink being closed, according to a city spokesperson, despite weather fluctuations making it difficult to consistently maintain a rink over the past three months.

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Ron Schaerer has spent 17 years taking care of the boarded rink in the Riverside area.

Schaerer has been subjected to insults in the past over weather conditions out of his control.

Ron Schaerer was the main volunteer at the outdoor rink. File Photo/CHAT News

A negative note aimed at insulting Schaerer was left at the rink in February 2024. He also had to clean up feces and urine from a bench by the ice that winter season.

Attempts to contact Schaerer for comment have so far been unsuccessful.

The user who wrote Sunday’s anonymous post outlined reasons the rinks can sometimes be closed, including warm weather and the time it takes to recreate a smooth, safe surface.

“So yes of course they will close the rink when they are working on the ice. And of course they will keep it closed while the ice is forming,” wrote the anonymous user.

“Now that you have complained and made your opinion clear that you do not care about a safe skating environment you get your wish!”

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READ: Nasty note left at Riverside outdoor rink about it being closed

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Genio agreed, saying the cold-warm-cold conditions have made it difficult to maintain rinks this winter season.

“It’s been a trying time not only for ice building, but for anybody trying to do any type of snow clearing or maintaining our roadways or trails,” he said.

The city is looking for new volunteers to care for and maintain the rink. Those interested in helping out are asked to contact the city’s parks and recreation office at 403-529-8333.