(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)
Outdoor rink

Melfort Council approves gifting ice-resurfacer to Kinsmen and Kinettes for Dale Frier rink project

Jun 10, 2025 | 11:00 AM

City Council in Melfort has given the green light to support the reconstruction of the Dale Frier Memorial Outdoor Rink.

The Melfort Kinsmen and Kinettes approached the City to request the reconstruction and expansion of the outdoor rink, and also asked Council to gift an unused ice-resurfacer to the club to help maintain the rink.

The Kinsmen Club of Melfort and Melfort Kinettes made a presentation to Council on May 12 to request that the City allow the groups to revitalize the rink that has been at the site near Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate (MUCC) since 1989. The club wants to replace the existing boards with a new, larger set of boards and a larger ice surface. They also plan to build a heated garage next to the rink to store and maintain equipment.

Director of Community Services Rob Lok told northeastNOW the current outdoor rink is showing its age.

“The Dale Frier Memorial Rink at the moment is kind of at end-of-life,” Lok said. “The boards aren’t holding up, the asphalt floor isn’t holding up anymore, so it’s either time to rebuild the existing rink or look at expanding that facility, and that’s what the Kinsmen are proposing.”

Lok said the Kinsmen and Kinettes’ plan for the revitalization would result in a nice community park amenity.

Council signed off on the plan to donate the City’s propane-powered Zamboni, currently stored at Spruce Haven Park. The ice-resurfacer was not being used, and the City had planned to sell it at auction for about $2500 to $3500 prior to the Kinsmen and Kinette request.

The Kinsmen and Kinettes will need to submit a development and building permit for the new outdoor rink and garage, including drawings and other documents to outline the final location of the rink and garage, connections to services.

There is no word on exactly when construction would start on the site.

cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

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