Williams Lake Council is looking to make Outdoor Skating Rink an Annual Attraction

The outdoor skating rink is popular, so the city council is considering how to bring this activity back annually for Williams Lake residents.

A recommendation was made during the council meeting on Feb. 18. Councillor Joan Flaspohler’s motion asks the City to investigate how it could clear a rink and pathways for residents to enjoy every winter and how it could organize the event earlier in the winter.

“This is such an incredible piece of liveability for the community,” Councillor Flaspohler said during the meeting. “When a community know this is happening on a regular, consistent basis, then they can anticipate that it’s there. It can be communicated and advertised more widely.”

The outdoor rink was along the shoreline of Scout Island Beach. Flaspohler gave credit to Williams Lake resident Jerry Nutter and Councillor Scott Nelson for clearing pathways along the lake’s shorelines.

Flaspohler said that she was impressed and inspired by the self-sustaining model of Lake Windermere’s Whiteway ice paths; over 30 kms long.

“They have been running for about 15 years. What they have is their own piece of equipment, and contractor that runs it when there’s a snowfall,” Flaspohler says. “It’s acutally quite inexpensive, it’s only when you incorporating different sports that it starts changing the liabiliy. But, they’re [Windmere] self-sustainable because the community supports it.”

Councillor Nelson agreed with Councillor Flaspohler maintaining the outdoor rink as annual activity was “a great thing” for the community.

“It’s a huge opportunity to see the lake from a different perspective… and it’s free.”

City Staff will have to do research on the logistics and protocals needed to maintain an outdoor rink, and to have it safe for all residents.

“I see the potential for Williams Lake to have the same recreational opportunities,” Flaspohler says. “I don’t want to miss out on that.”

The motion was passed unanimously by Council.