Georgetown man has maintained community rink for more than two decades
'Kids deserve the opportunity to go outside, have fun,' says Seth Patriquin
More than two decades ago, providing an opportunity for his son to stay active, plus a little dash of nostalgia, led Seth Patriquin to create an outdoor skating rink in Joseph Gibbons Park.
When he and his wife moved to Georgetown in 2001, she often talked about skating in the park when she was growing up. Wanting his kids to have that same opportunity, Patriquin worked with the Town and created a skating rink in 2002.
“It gave the kids a place to skate,” he said. “The kids deserve the opportunity to go outside, have fun and burn off some calories.”
Though his son has outgrown the outdoor rink, Patriquin has continued to maintain a rink for the neighbourhood.
“I was there on the weekend and you had grandparents with their grandchildren, parents with their children,” said Lynn McKenzie, Patriquin's sister-in-law. “The arenas are very big and busy and that can be intimidating, so it’s nice to see that we still have these things in our community.”
McKenzie said Patriquin has been very committed to the rinks, heading out in the early-morning hours and biting cold for his labour of love.
Though he’s been at it for 20 years, Patriquin says he has no secrets for creating a good rink.
“It’s all pretty basic,” he said. “It’s just freezing water.”
He said so far the conditions have been much better than the previous two winters, when skating conditions were limited to as little as a couple of weeks.
Patriquin said that’s a far cry from when he started, when he could count on a couple of months of good conditions.
McKenzie said over the years, Patriquin has purchased equipment like hoses and shovels just to maintain the rink.
But like all good things, the local man's contributions to the community will ultimately have to come to an end.
“I’ll be retiring soon,” he said. “So if anyone’s interested (in taking over the rink), check with the Town.”
The Town assists those volunteering to maintain an outdoor community rink on municipal property. Interested individuals or groups can call 905-873-2601, ext. 2274.
'Kids deserve the opportunity to go outside, have fun,' says Seth Patriquin
More than two decades ago, providing an opportunity for his son to stay active, plus a little dash of nostalgia, led Seth Patriquin to create an outdoor skating rink in Joseph Gibbons Park.
When he and his wife moved to Georgetown in 2001, she often talked about skating in the park when she was growing up. Wanting his kids to have that same opportunity, Patriquin worked with the Town and created a skating rink in 2002.
“It gave the kids a place to skate,” he said. “The kids deserve the opportunity to go outside, have fun and burn off some calories.”
Though his son has outgrown the outdoor rink, Patriquin has continued to maintain a rink for the neighbourhood.
“I was there on the weekend and you had grandparents with their grandchildren, parents with their children,” said Lynn McKenzie, Patriquin's sister-in-law. “The arenas are very big and busy and that can be intimidating, so it’s nice to see that we still have these things in our community.”
McKenzie said Patriquin has been very committed to the rinks, heading out in the early-morning hours and biting cold for his labour of love.
Though he’s been at it for 20 years, Patriquin says he has no secrets for creating a good rink.
“It’s all pretty basic,” he said. “It’s just freezing water.”
He said so far the conditions have been much better than the previous two winters, when skating conditions were limited to as little as a couple of weeks.
Patriquin said that’s a far cry from when he started, when he could count on a couple of months of good conditions.
McKenzie said over the years, Patriquin has purchased equipment like hoses and shovels just to maintain the rink.
But like all good things, the local man's contributions to the community will ultimately have to come to an end.
“I’ll be retiring soon,” he said. “So if anyone’s interested (in taking over the rink), check with the Town.”
The Town assists those volunteering to maintain an outdoor community rink on municipal property. Interested individuals or groups can call 905-873-2601, ext. 2274.
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