(Facebook/Trent Fedorychka)

By Aaron Schulze

Melfort Outdoor Rink

Melfort outdoor rink open, some changes due to COVID-19

Dec 21, 2020 | 9:00 AM

A Melfort holiday tradition is back up and skating.

The Melfort Kinsmen/Dale Frier Memorial Rink opened over the weekend, although there are some slight changes to its use amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Michael Cole, the Melfort Kinsmen’s attendant for the outdoor rink, said only 10 skaters are allowed on the rink at a time, all properly socially distant. Users will also need to take necessary precautions such as sanitizing hands and wearing masks.

“If you can keep track of the regulations, go out and have fun,” Cole said. “The Kinsmen are glad we could get the rink operational before Christmas as per usual. We hope everyone has a safe play on it, and to keep those COVID-19 things in mind. Don’t be complacent, police yourself, and try to be courteous. If you see people sitting and waiting, maybe get off and give them a turn if there are lots of people.”

Another change is the warmup shack. Due to a lack of availability to sanitize the shack every half hour due to COVID-19 health protocols, Cole said it will remain closed for the season. Although a picnic table is set up for users to tie their skates and benches will be placed along the south end of the boards.

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

49m ago

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

Dec 09, 2025

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

The one consistent positive, however, is the ice.

“The ice is actually looking really good,” Cole said. “We had it going in pretty early this year; almost mid-November when we started. We had those two weeks of super warm weather and it mostly turned into a puddle, but I had a good base there and it held the water in. Once it got cold here this last week, we hit it hard with three or four floods a day. The Melfort Fire Department put a good flood off the truck and that froze up overnight. It looks fantastic.”

The rink is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Cole said the outdoor lights will turn on at 5 p.m. and shut off shortly before 11 p.m.

–

aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow