The ice is going in at the Lions Outdoor Rink and Terry Ray Clark Park in Strathmore. It’s almost done, but not quite ready for skaters to cut up the ice.

Geoff Person, Manager of Communications for The Town of Strathmore explains that the rink is coming along but the warmer weather isn’t helping the ice surface.

“We still need to build a bit more ice depth, and we’re aiming to have it open for the weekend. We’re also adding onto the success of last season’s rink at Terry Ray Clark Park. We’ll be installing boards and are flooding right now. We hope to have this second rink open for the weekend as well!”

When complete the outdoor rinks will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. For now skaters are asked to stay off the ice while the surfaces are being built up.

Person says, “We do many floods to build up the thickness, and when people skate on it before it’s ready it can cause waves in the ice. We also lock the gates when we’re flooding, so climbing over the boards causes damage to the facility.”

Last year, the Lions Outdoor Rink facility was the victim of vandalism that saw damage to part o the boards.

“Last year’s vandalism was costly and required extensive repairs. We haven’t seen any more vandalism at the outdoor rink since last year, and we ask the community to be vigilant. Vandalism costs us all, and repairs can close these facilities for extended periods,” said Person.

Those who see vandalism at the rink are asked to report it to Municipal Enforcement at 403-361-2112.