The Town of Rocky Mountain House has announced the skating oval at Curtis Field will be open as of Dec. 20, at 3 p.m.
The town adds, this year’s skating oval installation was a little different from previous years. Normally, public works crews work long, dark hours earlier in the season to pack a snow base and apply water to create the skating surface.
However, officials say November and December of this year were unseasonably warm, with average daily temperatures above freezing. Historically, the town relies on 10 to 14 cold weather days to get the job done.
Meanwhile, town officials say the outdoor rink on the north side of the Rocky Regional Recreation Centre is also ready for use. It was completed earlier as it doesn’t get as much direct sunlight as the Curtis Field track.
Around 325,000 litres of water is required to flood the ice at the Curtis Field skating oval every winter. (Town of Rocky Mountain House)
The skating oval is meant to be enjoyed by everyone in the community, says Laura Button, communications coordinator with the Town of Rocky Mountain House. As such, helmets are recommended and hockey sticks and pucks must be kept to the outdoor rink north of the rec centre. As well, residents are advised to skate with caution and be mindful of new skaters.
The town will continue to maintain the oval during the holidays so it can be enjoyed to its fullest, she adds.
According to town officials:
- It takes a few good snowfalls and at least 325,000 litres of water – 325 M3 – to create a safe skating surface on the Curtis Field track
- First, the town pebbles water onto the snow, then packs it down to create a solid base
- Once the base has frozen, it adds at least 10 layers of water to build a smooth skating surface
- Each layer of water has to freeze fully before crews can add the next one
- Chinooks and warm periods in January and February usually prompt temporary closures while crews patch any areas where shale is showing through the ice
Stock photo of residents enjoying the completed skating oval. (Town of Rocky Mountain House)
Earlier in the week, the town also announced that the outdoor rink on the north side of the Rocky Regional Recreation Centre is also ready to be enjoyed for the winter season.
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