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A Rankin tradition
Children take to twin outdoor rinks in Rankin Inlet

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, April 15, 2015

RANKIN INLET
The squeals of laughter and the unmistakable sounds of stick hitting puck and blades cutting ice are, once again, echoing around the community of Rankin Inlet.

NNSL photo/graphic

There's no shortage of players or pucks on Williamson Lake's outdoor rink, all under the watchful eye of the famous inuksuk in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

With the close of the Rankin arena this past week, attention now shifts from the grand old lady to the twin outdoor rinks on Williamson Lake for those not ready to put their skates away just yet.

The outdoor rinks have been an annual tradition in Rankin for about 15 years.

Recreation co-ordinator David Clark said the rec department tries to maintain the rinks daily, including a morning ice cleaning by the Zamboni, to make it more enjoyable for everyone.

He said once the warmer temperatures set in, the two rinks go steady almost every minute school is not in session.

"It's probably not the greatest thing for it to do, but the Zamboni going down there every morning makes a huge difference with the ice," said Clark.

"We have to be careful maintaining the Zamboni while it's doing this, because the ice is really hard and the pebbles and algae in there isn't the greatest for the machine, either.

"But, if we maintain it correctly, it shouldn't be a problem."

Clark said people in the community, especially the younger folks, continue to be very good in keeping hockey away from those who just want to skate and enjoy the fresh air.

He said being able to offer the ice as fun for the entire family is why there's two distinctive rinks on the lake.

"The vast majority of the people who go down there know the way it's set up, and we don't have any trouble with boys or girls playing hockey and trying to force people who just want to skate off the ice.

"We closed the arena for the season this past weekend, and it's kind of strange because I feel like I was just running the hockey camp to start the season not that long ago.

"We'll continue to maintain the ice on Williamson Lake for as long as the weather allows us to, so the kids will get more hockey in.

"It was a successful season and, even though many of us would like to have seen Rankin win more tournaments, we have to remember, especially with the younger players, it's not always about just winning!"

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