Salmon Arm will soon have a new place to skate outdoors, thanks to a hard-working crew at DeMille’s Farm Market.
Brad DeMille, the owner of DeMille’s Farm Market, says outdoor ice skating is a great way to have fun and make family memories over the holidays.
“We’re making something out of winter. I mean, we’re stuck with this for three months, we may as well make something good of it like skiing and skating,” he said.
The rink has been dubbed “Rodgers Arena” after DeMille’s father who started De-Mille’s Farm Market more than 40 years ago.
Construction and flooding of the rink began last week. DeMille said he hoped to have the rink ready for Friday, Dec. 16, but is now working towards opening the ice early next week.
“Now we’re just waiting for Mother Nature to give us a little extra cold and freeze it up solid,” he said.
DeMille said he received numerous calls from community members asking how they can contribute to the project.
Response to the plan, particularly on Facebook, has been overwhelmingly positive.
DeMille says he dreamed up the project because he wanted a place to skate outdoors without worrying about falling through the ice on a frozen river or pond.
Big Al’s House of Hockey will provide the sticks needed for scratch hockey games at the outdoor rink.
Skate and helmet rentals will be available at the House of Hockey, located at the Shaw Centre.
-With files from Jen Zielinski