Family Day Skate cancelled due to melted ice, skating track closed

February 24, 2022 · 0 Comments

Written By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Melting ice put a freeze on the Family Day outdoor skate organized by the Town of Shelburne this past Monday (Feb.21).

The Town of Shelburne was scheduled to host the outdoor community skate event at the new Hyland Skating Track located at Natasha Paterson Memorial Park, but announced its cancellation on Feb. 17 due to weather and the tracks condition.

Although the event was cancelled a number of local residents showed up at the new track prepared to skate only to find the park empty.

Local resident, Jessica Weatherall planned to attend the Family Day event with her husband and young daughter, who they wanted to teach to skate.

Weatherall said that while the cancellation was initially disappointing, it was also understandable.

“It’s kind of mild outside, but that happens. Can’t control the weather,” she said.

Speaking with the Free Press about the opening of the new Hyland Skating Track, Weatherall said, “It’s great. It makes it available and open for everybody to skate, especially with the current vaccination climate out there. It’s nice to have something to bring the community together.”

The Hyland Skating Track officially opened to the community in early February, after colder weather and maintenance from Town staff had the ice in good enough shape to skate. The track, which is located at Natasha Paterson Memorial Park is around 400 metres long and runs a path around the outside of the park.

While the skating loop opened to the public only three short weeks ago, the Town said it will now be closed for
the season.