A miraculous rink and pond hockey raise $6,700

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By EMC News

EMC Lifestyles - Batawa Batawa is home to a sheet of ice that's a small miracle in the midst of this mild winter. When every other outdoor rink and ice surface throughout the region has been closed, this brand new 150' by 75' rink has remained open for all but a few days, and has quickly become known as the place to gather after school for a few toe loops, or after work, for a great game of hockey.

Now that's what winter in Canada is all about.

"It's all natural, and it works," explains Batawa Development Corpora-tion General Manager, Heather Candler. "The pond was created by landscaping when a building was removed from the site this fall. A small rise was created, forming a border around the rink. This holds the water and creates optimal conditions for maintaining a freeze even in these mild temperatures."

Chris Angelo, Director of Public Works and Environmental Services for the City of Quinte West explains, "The rink surface was elevated to promote better ice formation and the sub base material specifically chosen to enhance ice holding capabilities. The shallow basin construction permits makes it quick and easy to flood."

Angelo said the city was delighted to be a part of the project.

"We were pleased to work with the Batawa Development Corporation, Batawa Lions and the community to support and enhance children and adult sports and recreation facilities in our community."

The rink was created through a partnership of the land owners, Batawa Development Corporation, and the City of Quinte West, who did all the site preparation work, installed a hydrant nearby for use by volunteers to flood the ice and even installed timed lighting to allow for night skating. And finally, the key to keeping the rink in such optimal condition are the volunteers of both the Batawa Lions Club and Batawa Fire Department, who tirelessly volunteer their time in subzero temperatures to clear, flood and maintain the ice.

When a member of the Batawa Lions Club combined a little ice, and a little hockey with a lot of patriotism and concern for members of our military, the first annual Pond Hockey tournament came about. Captain Jeffrey Moorhouse, a pilot with the 436 Squadron at CFB Trenton pitched the idea of a Pond Hockey Tournament to raise funds for the Military Families Fund to his CEO. Just weeks later the tournament and fund raiser were in play.

On January 19, more than 200 military personnel from CFB Trenton gathered at the Batawa Community Centre for the first annual Pond Hockey Tournament. Twelve teams of seven faced off against one another raising more than $6,700. The top fund-raising team were the Batawa North Starsthe tournament's only civilian teamwho raised $2,500 in support of the fund.

The coveted 436 Squadron Cup went to the 429 Squadron Team. This Squadron of C17 pilots and crew played a significant role in the repatriation ceremonies over the past several years. The cup was fashioned by Campbell Monument Company from parts of the Hercules Aircraft, piloted by the host 436 Squadron members, and set on a base crafted from a slab of granite used in the Last Post monuments which mark graves of veterans.

In addition to the funds raised to support the Military Families Fund, the 436 Squadron presented a $500 cheque to Mayor John Williams from the City of Quinte West for the Afghanistan Memorial project, planned to honour those lost in this campaign. The memorial will be constructed near CFB Trenton, where all the repatriation ceremonies were held as our fallen soldiers were brought home. The memorial provides a place where families can remember these heroes, and Canadians can demonstrate our gratitude for their sacrifice.

M embers of the 436

Squadron Transport Squadron played an integral role in the Afghanistan mission during its ten years, piloting the famous Hercules aircraft that brought troops and supplies in and out of the war zone, but perhaps most famously transporting our fallen soldiers home to Trenton for the trip down the Highway of Heroes. The 436 Squadron and its members returned from Afghanistan this November after ten years of dedicated service.