By Vanessa Ybarra

Kids enjoy the outdoors on last day of holiday break

Jan 2, 2017 | 4:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — For the past two weeks most students in Kamloops have been free of books, tests, and homework, but that all ends tomorrow when schools re-open and kids head back to the classroom.

That made today the last chance for many to take in the holiday fun around town.

Go to almost any Canadian city in winter and you’re bound to find people enjoying a skating rink, including Westsyde Centennial Park. 

“It’s probably one of the best-kept secrets in Kamloops,” said one man.

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“We thought we’d come check out the ice down here,” said first-timer Phillipa Peagram.

The kids may be back to school Tuesday, but for today it’s all about enjoying the good ol’ hockey game. 

“This is my first time this year, ” said Kieran Maloney. “I’m from Edmonton so we play a lot of hockey out there in winter time. It’s pretty awesome you can skate in the warm weather.”

-10 weather may be ‘warm’ for  Albertans, but for European newcomers such as Phillipa Pegram, not so much. 

“It’s a little cold but it’s a great time,” said Peagram. “We live just up the hill so it’s nice and close.”

Neville Husa is one of a few workers who spent at least two hours clearing snow from the rink Monday to make the day of fun possible.

“It’s cold, hard work but they say he says it’s worth it.

“We packed about a foot and a half,” said Husa. “We came here Sunday and the whole thing was completely filled in. It looked like they could use some extra shelf so I got a shovel.”

From those who grew up on the ice, to those taking their first steps, a lot may have changed since the ‘old days’, but skating on a sheet of ice will never go out of style.