Outdoor rink open at Whipper Billy Watson Park in Newmarket

YorkRegion.com
Feb. 23, 2015
Chris Simon

Whipper Billy Watson Park’s community outdoor rink is open.

The skating surface has been in operation since Feb. 16 and it’s part of a three-location volunteer outdoor community ice rink pilot project approved by Newmarket council recently. Ice rinks have also opened at Lions and Ken Sturgeon parks.

Whipper will feature 30 parking spaces, lighting until 10 p.m., one temporary outdoor bathroom, shovels, brooms, hockey nets and benches. The rink will be accessible for hockey and pleasure skating, according to Ward 6 Councillor Kelly Broome-Plumley’s website.

Under the pilot, participating volunteer groups can apply for a $1,000 town grant, which may be used to purchase equipment or insurance. The town also provides the site and water, but will not commit to further financial subsidies at this time.

The project could be expanded in future years, however, those decisions will be detailed in the Recreation Playbook, a long-term plan expected to be presented to council in the spring.

Whipper is near the Bathurst Street and Clearmeadow Boulevard intersection. Sturgeon is on Lockwood Circle, just south of Stonehaven Avenue, and Lions is at 424 D’Arcy St.