The newly formed Chestermere Outdoor Recreational Association (CORA) has begun construction on the new skating rink located behind Jessica’s Restaurant in the Chestermere Plaza on Merganser Drive. The project falls under the town’s Adopt-a-rink program and will allow everyone to have the opportunity to enjoy safe outdoor recreational skating.
The group has been working hard and learning about outdoor ice surfaces. With the help of the CRCA, the Chestermere Fire Department and the Town of Chestermere along with a handful of volunteers, they have already built the boards for the rink and began flooding early in the New Year.
Carrie Lentz is a volunteer with CORA and admits that building this rink has been a huge learning process for everyone involved. “Weather has been the biggest factor in getting it ready to open to the public,” says Lentz, “We will be praying to the Ice Gods this week for good conditions.”
CORA was formed in October 2013. With a plan and passion for supporting Chestermere’s motto of being an “Alberta Oasis”. In addition to this rink, CORA is also actively working on a couple of other projects that include ball diamonds, soccer pitches and another community rink.
Together with the Chestermere Ball Association, CORA will help to give a facelift to the baseball diamonds located behind Chestermere Lake Middle School (CLMS) which will be completed in April or May.
“The funding for the ball diamond behind CLMS is already in place so it’s just a matter of administering it” says Lentz. “We were delighted to have Chris Wallin join our board of directors as he is instrumental in the Chestermere Crushers Baseball Program and brings his expertise on baseball diamond design to our team.”
In addition to the rink and ball diamond, CORA is following through with the process to get approvals for another location behind Our Lady of Wisdom School (OLW) for another ball diamond, a rink and possibly a soccer pitch.
Lentz would like to thank some of the people who have been instrumental in the construction of the first rink. “We have had some incredible volunteers step up to help – Wayne Anderson, Ron Jossul (from Rona – who supplied us all the materials) Shane Hainstock, Sean Murphy, Philip Lentz, and even our councillor Jenn Massig came to help out and swing a hammer!”
CORA has partnered with organizations like Chestermere Minor Hockey Association, CRCA and the Chestermere/Langdon Oilmen’s Association and has some sponsorship in place but there is still a lot of opportunities for companies and volunteers to get involved.
“I invite residents to come out to see our first rink project to check on progress – we can’t wait to get people out skating on it” says Lentz. To access the rink, enter through the Gas Plus parking lot and park near the rear of the building.
For more information on CORA visit their website at www.corasports.com
