City seeking volunteers for outdoor rinks

Calling all hockey lovers, figure skaters, and cold weather enthusiasts!

The City of Cornwall is seeking dedicated volunteers to maintain outdoor rinks this winter.

Cathy and Jim Malyon have been watering and shovelling the rink at Memorial Park for about five years. The Malyon family laces up their skates every Sunday and joins a hoard of other families in playing games of shinny and gliding around the rink.

“It’s a great thing for kids to have something to do,” said Cathy Malyon, who originally approached Leisure Arts Coordinator Lorne Taillon about installing an outdoor rink in Memorial Park.

“I asked him, what are the chances of getting a rink on Bedford Street,” Cathy Malyon recalled. “He said, we’d need volunteers.”

That’s where Jim Malyon came in. For the last five years, he’s watered the ice daily throughout the winter – often several times a day.

It’s a lot of work, but for the Malyons, it’s worth it.

“It’s really rewarding, when we see kids out there playing,” said Cathy. “The kids are out there, making friends. It gives them a purpose.”

The City is seeking volunteers at the following parks:

• Alexander Park (Eighth Street and Adolphus Street)
• Broadview Park (Henry Street and Thirteenth Street)
• Gallinger Park (Elsie Avenue and Lottie Street)
• King George Park (Seventh Street and York Street)
• Mattice Park (Edward Street and Lennox Street)
• Reg Campbell Park (Leitch Drive and Fraser Avenue)
• Terry Fox Park (Mercier Avenue and Ross Avenue)

City crews will install rink boards at parks with dedicated volunteers to operate the rinks. If you can help provide outdoor fun this winter, contact Lorne Taillon at 613-938-9898 ext. 2 or ltaillon@cornwall.ca.

Crews will begin installing rink boards shortly, so don’t delay!

“City staff and dedicated volunteers are essential in making sure we can offer outdoor winter fun at parks across the City,” said Taillon.

For more, visit https://youtu.be/uRKH6FQU7FM.