A recent story in a Canadian newspaper about a backyard skating rink being shut down because of a complaint from a neighbour and the rink actually breaking municipal regulations jogged my memory about the skating rinks built in my backyard many years ago. Those were the days when there didn't seem to be so many regulations or grouchy neighbours who have nothing better to do than complain (NIMBY- not in my backyard - can effectively stop many projects from ever happening).
The ice rink that my brothers and I made in the backyard was not fancy or professional but it gave us a place to skate and play hockey even if we were no Wayne Gretsky (he learned to play hockey on a rink made by his Dad). This was the 1950's in Edmonton and many homes had backyard rinks because there were so few alternatives (not like today with fantastic facilities) although community rinks were appearing. Those rinks were surround by a board fence and had a shed where you could go to put on skates or go back inside to warm up around a hot stove. Some even had a tuck shop where you could buy candy, pop, and potato chips. They also had music playing from speakers mounted on the outside of the shed and playing the latest Hit Parade songs.
Work on our rink began in earnest in late October and early November after all the garden vegetables had been harvested. The south section of our lot was carefully levelled and banks of earth built to form the perimeter of the rink. When the weather was cold enough to remain freezing, the banks were sprayed with water so they froze solid. After that, fresh snow was removed from the ice surface and was used to build up the banks. By the end of November, when the cold had really set in, the ice was thick and smooth enough to skate on. Maintenance consisted of removing fresh snow from the ice surface and spraying the ice with water to keep it smooth and increase its thickness.
Many happy hours were spent skating on that rink and having friends come over to play hockey. One of the neighbours, the second house down from us, sometimes hosted a huge bonfire where all of us could gather around, drinking hot chocolate or roasting wieners on a stick. Nobody was excluded and so it made for getting to know your neighbours really well. Those days are in the past and I must say that I was sorry to read about that rink needing to be closed. I hope common sense prevails and there is a way to keep it open.
Skating Rink - Edmonton 1950's
