Sheltered skating rink opens in Dunmore as cold hits

Posted on February 1, 2024 by Ryan Dahlman

Southern Alberta Newspapers

A sheltered rink in Dunmore built by the hamlet’s community association is now open thanks to the arrival of winter weather and several years of work and fundraising to enclose two sides of the ice slab.

The Dunmore Community Association opened the multi-purpose facility last spring, but ice-making was on hold this fall until colder weather arrived in early January.

Association treasurer Nicole Johnson told Southern Alberta Newspapers the association is mostly activity and event based, but construction was needed and creates a central public facility.

Closing two sides and covering the surface leads to better ice condition and protects patrons from wind and extreme elements.

“Our goal is to continue bringing the community together to host these events,” Johnson.

The site was central at this summer’s Dunmore Days, a “Merry and Bright” Christmas event, and the group hopes to host movie nights in the future.

The group earned a $125,000 grant from the province’s Community Facility Improvement Program to match its own fundraising, along with several grants from Cypress County and a naming sponsorship from EDF Cypress Wind.

The facility can be rented out, and a heated skate shack is available for those who hold a valid membership.