Just in time for Family Day, and a week off school; residents in the community of Outlook were able to finally celebrate the grand-opening of the town’s long-awaited outdoor rink situated just outside the local arena.

The newly built Co-op Community Rink is a welcome addition to the Jim Kook Recreation Complex, and one that is a long time coming for the town and Riverbend Co-op team.

Marketing Co-ordinator for the local Co-op, Christian Moulding, shared some of the main details from last Saturday’s event that was more than two years in the making. 

“It was something that was originally announced back in 2019. The town went about constructing it before the pandemic, and it’s been completed for a while now, but we weren’t able to host ‘the big celebration’ when it was done for obvious reasons right?”, said Moulding, who also shared previous attempts were made to schedule the grand opening, but were always met with issues surrounding the ever-changing COVID situation.

“Saturday had a little inclement weather for that, and then on the holiday Monday we rented rink space and just kind of opened it up for a nice family skate.”

Moulding and the team thought February 19th presented a great opportunity to host the grand opening, ahead of treating residents to even more recreation opportunities with Family Day shortly after on the 21st. A regular thing they try to do in their service communities.

“We try to do it in all the communities we serve, rent rink space and kind of open it up for family skates,” said Moulding, who was more than willing to operate the facility for a day, “That’s how we spent our family day weekend. Skating, in our community, and celebrating the new community rink here in Outlook.”

The Jim Kook Centre has a vast array of recreation options, including some bowling lanes being open for anyone interested. The new outdoor ice pad now adorns the already very busy complex, and will benefit greatly from being within the arena grounds.

“With that too it’s right next to the ball diamonds, and the community pool.”

As seen in the post above, the rink found a special way to mark the grand-opening.

“Typically when you do these types of things you do a ribbon cut or something, but obviously with a rink, we thought the best way to do that was through a ceremonial puck drop.”

Moulding noted it was great to see Outlook’s Mayor Weiterman and other dignitaries participate in the special day, even though it all could have ultimately resulted in a wash thanks to the wet weather.

“It was a weird February day, it rained, so some of our plans kind of got ‘washed out’; but in the end the ice surface was actually really good that day. The people skating had a great time.”

Moulding noted that maybe dealing with Saturday’s bad weather, almost made for a good omen towards the future and reasoning behind what really makes an outdoor rink.

“It’s an outdoor rink, and there was some bad weather, but we were still able to enjoy it. I mean it kind of symbolizes an outdoor rink perfectly doesn’t it? Bad weather and skating, elements are a part of it.”

Moulding and the Riverbend Co-op were ecstatic with the turnout the community provided for their big day. The rink was selected through a community decision, and seeing it so busy was the best thing the local Co-op could have wished for.

“That’s why the town wanted to build it,” ended Moulding, “Seeing people on the ice, that’s what we want to see, and it was actually great to see a grand-opening weekend where we were able to do that.”