SUMMERSIDE - A Zamboni, four-foot boards, and a smooth, well-lit ice surface.
Sounds like a description of an NHL arena, but it's actually an outdoor rink within the city limits.
The 80-by-50-foot ice surface sits next to the home of David and Julie Chisholm on Lexi Drive at the north end of Summerside.
"We had it up and running right before Christmas when we had a cold snap and everybody thought we were crazy," David said of flooding the surface before a mild spell of weather put a damper on things. "We put a large number of hours into it and the kids only got to use it for a couple days."
With recent cold weather though, the rink has been open for business most nights.
Chisholm and his friend, Glenn Puchniak, call the rink, "the Garden," after the former arenas of their two favourite teams - Chisholm is a Boston Bruins fan and Puchniak a Toronto Maple Leafs supporter.
Chisholm said the rink started to take shape in late October with the installation of side boards and larger end boards. One night, he even slept in his car until 5 a.m. and woke up every seven minutes to ensure the ice was the right consistency.
He and Puchniak also installed floodlights at each end to allow for night play.
Another friend, Paul Campbell, even came up with a device to clean the ice - a large chamois with a handle to which a hose can be attached to soak the surface.
While kids like Chisholm's son Max get the most use out of the rink, the adults have their chance to play too. Tonight, 14 people will play in what Chisholm and Puchniak have dubbed the first annual "winter classic," complete with barbecue and bragging rights on the line.
Still, "the Garden" is a big hit with kids from the area.
"We have kids get dropped off here by their parents and we don't even know them," said Chisholm. "But it keeps them outside and active. Our only rule here is, everybody plays."
The Garden a big hit with children and adults alike
Kids from around the neighbourhood have a blast at the home of David and Julie Chisholm in Summerside. Chisholm and his friends constructed a rink on a vacant lot, owned by Bob Gavin, next to their home. David, in the Boston Bruins jersey and friend Glenn
- Published on January 14th, 2010
- Published on June 21st, 2010
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Stephen Brun
SUMMERSIDE - A Zamboni, four-foot boards, and a smooth, well-lit ice surface.
Sounds like a description of an NHL arena, but it's actually an outdoor rink within the city limits.
The 80-by-50-foot ice surface sits next to the home of David and Julie Chisholm on Lexi Drive at the north end of Summerside.
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Comments
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- Goalie
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:07:16
Goalie needed for tonight?
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- Chuck
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:05:58
This is a fantastic story all around.
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- Paul
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:05:47
Hey Goalie, Talked to one of the coaches, he said a goalie would be a welcomed edition, he also said not to worry if your too busy because his Toronto team hasn't had a Goalie in a while and he's getting used to that! lash those pads on
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- unknown
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:04:44
nice write up Steve!
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- me from summerside
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:02:29
What a great story. This is proof that you do not need computers, wii games etc to be entertained. This is a great way to get the kids all together (and adults) and be outside in a clean, healthy activity. It also brings back memories when I was a kid, we skated anyplace we could that had a sheet of ice on it, made outdoor rinks, ahhhhh those were the days!!!!!. No electronic games for us, we made our games with a stick and a ball etc etc. I am sure some of you out there know what I am talking about. lol
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- Jeannie
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:02:24
Now this is exactly why i love living here. Best place in the world... awsome story!!
P.S... sorry to all Leaf fans.
