Outdoor rink a sense of pride for N.B. community
The outdoor community rink… as Canadian as maple syrup and hockey itself.
Remi Bartin and his buddy laced them up and spent a good chunk of the afternoon at the rink in Pointe-du-Chêne, N.B., on Tuesday during their day off.
“We feel pretty fortunate obviously and it’s very good for the community and the kids. It’s a nice little rink for everyone to play,” said Bartin.
Volunteers in Pointe-du-Chêne have provided a rink for around 15 years, but Richard Daley, the president of the Pointe-du-Chêne Recreation and Community Centre, said this season’s version is a bit different.
“We got these boards on as well we expanded our shack. We have a warming shack with a bathroom now and hot water for watering so we’re starting to move up a little bit,” said Daley.
It’s also been re-named after Gordie Gallant, a Pointe-du-Chêne resident who played 12 seasons of professional hockey from 1970 to 1982, including a season with the Quebec Nordiques when they were still in the World Hockey Association.
But it isn’t easy. Volunteers from the community centre spend countless hours flooding and maintaining the ice.
“Of course the weather changes so we get cold weather, warm weather. It melts, it freezes again. Get the slush off so there’s a lot of maintenance in between,” said Daley.
Volunteer Darryl Cormier has been doing the lion’s share of the work on the rink since it opened two weeks ago.
He takes a great sense of pride knowing all of his and Daley’s hard work is paying off and providing a place for children to play.
“I have a passion for the game of hockey. I’ve been involved since I was a kid. I have four kids that played. My little guy still goes at it and if it wouldn’t be for that, I wouldn’t do it,” said Cormier.
Daley loves seeing kids on the rink.
“Every time I drive by I take a look over and I say, ‘Yes, the kids are skating. This is awesome,’ so the more kids that can come down to use it, the happier we are,” said Daley.
Hockey is king in Pointe-du-Chêne according to Cormier, so having more than one ice surface in the community is a big deal.
“We only have the one rink in Shediac and the ice-time with all the multiple teams that we have, it’s tough to practice extra,” said Cormier. “Plus, it’s nice for the kids who don’t have the opportunity to play real hockey. They can come here and throw on some skates and still get to play.”
Bartin said the rink is in great shape.
“The ice is pretty good. It’s rock hard. Everything you can ask for,” said Bartin.
No better place for a player, young or old, to spend the winter.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7029443.1725744633!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Police release video of Toronto plaza shooting that killed university student
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
'Hopeless and helpless': Regina mother seeks help to treat rare spinal disease
Mary Grace Rico is seeking help in getting treatment for a rare spinal condition.
The iPhone is getting a 'glow' up. What to expect from Apple's Monday event
Apple excited fans with its vision for its 'Apple Intelligence' artificial intelligence system earlier this year. Now, it's time for the company to prove it really works.
No more porta-potties at B.C. construction sites starting Oct. 1
What some B.C. construction workers describe as the worst aspect of their jobs will be coming to an end next month, the province announced.
Trump campaigns in Wisconsin just days ahead of debate with Harris
With just days to go before his first — and likely only — debate against U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, former U.S. president Donald Trump leaned into his familiar grievances about everything from his indictments to the border as he campaigned in one of the most deeply Republican swaths of battleground Wisconsin.
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port
It was the years-long cruise that was supposed to set sail, but saw its departure postponed… postponed… and postponed again.
Aryna Sabalenka beats Jessica Pegula to win the U.S. Open for her third Grand Slam title
Aryna Sabalenka got past Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 in a rollicking U.S. Open women’s final Saturday to win her first championship at Flushing Meadows and third Grand Slam title of her career.