Rink rendering (image credit - City of Kamloops)

By Michael Reeve

OUTDOOR SKATING

With Riverside Park rink a go, years of hard work pay off for Kamloops Outdoor Skating Association

Feb 12, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Six years of lobbying have finally paid off for James Gordon and the Kamloops Outdoor Skating Association with the new Riverside Park skating rink moving forward.

“We didn’t think it was going to take six years, that’s for sure,” joked Gordon. “These type of facilities are popping up literally all over the world, so it was always like, ‘Why doesn’t Kamloops have one? Kelowna — there is always that comparison — has had one for over 10 years. But sometimes you have to wait for good things to happen.”

The new outdoor facility will include spaces for food and drink vendors, making it a full experience for skaters.

“Let’s make a fantastic facility and really make it something we are all proud of. And people in other communities (will) say, ‘Wow. Kamloops has this great outdoor rink.’ I think that is a very good thing,” added Gordon.

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The project is moving forward after council agreed to a new location, slightly further west within Riverside Park, which Kamloops Parks and Civic Operations Manager Jeff Putnam explained helps limit impacts on the existing park.

“The constructability of the new location is much, much better. Fewer impacts on the existing water park and inclusive playground… This new location is slightly west of the spray park where it won’t impact any of the other park operations when we start building,” Putnam told CFJC Today.

The project is being funded through a one-time provincial grant, which had to be used on certain community spaces, like the rink.

Construction is scheduled to begin next year, with skaters hitting the ice later in 2025.

“It will be free for the community, so those with any income deficits won’t have any issues. (Those) who maybe can’t afford to sign up for figure skating or minor hockey, they can come down and enjoy skating,” said Putnam.

It’s also expected that the rink could help alleviate some of the ice time pressures faced by user groups throughout the community.

As for Gordon, after years of hard work, he won’t let up until his skates hit the ice.

“I’m waiting for the first skate. That’s when the rubber hits the road. But no question, when the construction starts and it’s obvious, then it will be nice to see that moving along. But December 2025 is what I heard when we will be skating,” said Gordon.