For Immediate Release
Ottawa—It is with great pleasure that Councillor Menard, Trustee Evans, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and the City of Ottawa announce that a boarded hockey rink will be returning to the schoolyard at Mutchmor Public School this winter. The schoolyard, located between Fourth and Third Avenues in the Glebe, had been home to a rink since the 1930s, but the rink was removed in recent years as necessary work was completed on the school.
A return of a boarded rink in the Glebe has been an important topic in the neighbourhood, as there are no other facilities suitable for outdoor hockey, ringette and other activities in the immediate area.
“This has been an issue for a few years, and it was one of the first matters brought to my office’s attention when I came into office,” said Menard, Capital Ward Councillor and the former OCDSB Trustee. “It was great to see us work together to find a way to get this rink back at Mutchmor. I want to personally thank the school board, city staff and the community for helping to make this happen. We appreciate how flexible the school board has been on this issue.”
“The OCDSB is proud to be a part of the community,” said Trustee Evans. “I wish to thank the school for its flexibility, which has facilitated the process of allowing the city to return the modified rink to the school site. I also want to recognize the willingness of the City to address our safety concerns in the design and our agreement.”
The new design reflects a smaller rink, shifted to the northwest corner of the site to help address sightline issues in schoolyard. There will also be an adapted changing area to meet the needs of the school and those who will be using the rink. The City, the OCDSB and the community have worked together to develop a design that works for everyone.
“The Glebe Community Association is delighted to learn of the return of a rink to our community,” said Glebe Community Association President Sarah Viehbeck. “We’re grateful to Councillor Shawn Menard, the Ottawa Carleton District School Board, GNAG and the many community advocates that share in the credit for this community ‘win’. We’re in no rush for winter, but we can’t wait to lace up our skates when it gets here!”
The rink will be opened this winter. It will be operated by the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Group and local volunteers, with city crews providing maintenance support.
“It’s going to be great seeing a hockey rink come back to the ward,” continued Menard. “This is a real positive step for all the kids looking to grab their sticks, lace up their skates and hit the ice.”
Click here to download the press release [PDF].
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