Last week's warm weather and major snow storm in southern Ontario created challenges for the hard-working volunteers trying to prepare a natural ice track on the site of the future Ontario Oval in Lakefield. Once the heavy wet snow from last Friday's blizzard was removed, the track was found to not be skate-able for the approximately 25 masters who turned out from Ottawa, Kingston, Belleville, Peterborough, Hamilton and Kitchener for the Saturday afternoon events. Participants were, however, treated to dinner and socializing that evening at the nearby Lakefield Marshland Centre.
Repairs and additional flooding were carried out late Saturday and, with colder temperatures overnight, skaters were able to do the first laps on this long-awaited track on Sunday morning. Alicia Weiss reported -
We got on the ice today! Half was decent; half was very mushy and tough to glide - if you had speed, you were better off ... we skated an elimination race - 5k with a pace bunny (OSSA's Director of Sport Development, Todd Landon) then 15 laps (there were 15 skaters) then each lap, the last person across the line was eliminated; we could only pass on half the track (not on the mushy side).
See Alicia's photos and additional commentary.
Repairs and additional flooding were carried out late Saturday and, with colder temperatures overnight, skaters were able to do the first laps on this long-awaited track on Sunday morning. Alicia Weiss reported -
We got on the ice today! Half was decent; half was very mushy and tough to glide - if you had speed, you were better off ... we skated an elimination race - 5k with a pace bunny (OSSA's Director of Sport Development, Todd Landon) then 15 laps (there were 15 skaters) then each lap, the last person across the line was eliminated; we could only pass on half the track (not on the mushy side).
See Alicia's photos and additional commentary.
3 comments:
I can't wait for the refrigeration system to go in. This oval is going to make history. It's been a long time coming.
How long did it take to drive there?
It took us about 2.5 hours from Morriston (Highways 6 & 401) including a stop at Tim Horton's, but we took the 407 as far east as possible and then Hwy 7 the rest of the way. Yes, with global warming, refrigeration will be a necessity.
When it's good and ready, I think I want to be a Lakefield Oval Bum.
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