19 March, 2006 (Sunday) Appendum

(Picture courtesy of Sarah - tickets)

Farewell Fair Skating rink
Today we felt the breath of Spring and it melted everything. The roof was dripping, the sun was shining and the ice rink could not take it any longer. The morning was not looking promising, and by midday we were warning guests off. It was un-skateable. Kids were running through leaving footprints, and eager skaters were leaving long furrows on the ice. I gave refunds. I gave apologies.

I was there and I can confirm it as truth - the skating rink is now finished for the season. Gone. Kapput. Closed. The last of the skates have been rented. The last of the liability waivers signed and filed. The last credit card imprint taken. Happy Valley, your time is almost over. I don't know how Jae is going to take it when he returns. He's become a skating fiend.

I was scheduled on for 40+ hours on the rink this week. A few night shifts that I was looking forward to. Skate rentals which I was not. I guess I'm going to have to be redeployed. Thank goodness I have such versatile marketable skills.

There was some hope of keeping her (the rink) for at least another week. It would have been a new Big White record - the longest time we've had the rink open. Ever. Although, we've had to cordon areas off the last week due to holes developing and uneven ice. It was just a matter of time.

Tomorrow it probably won't even exist. Jarrod and Gareth were getting all excited at the thought of running the Cat over it. The Zamboni is already on the road, off to the shop.

Goodbye skating rink. Welcome slush pond.