Accessible outdoor rink in Calgary achieves gold certification
Despite the temperature hovering around -20 C, it's time for hockey players to slide onto the ice at Alberta's first accessible outdoor rink.
The Parkdale Community Rink in northwest Calgary is ready for its first full winter skating and hockey season.
It was built with accessibility for sledge hockey in mind.
"I think it's super important to have an accessible rink because outdoor hockey is for everybody," said project manager John Butterwick.
"When people show up, they show up with their families, their friends and they're all different ages and abilities. To have a rink that's specifically designed for accessibility has made a huge impact on the community," he said.
The Parkland rink has now officially received the "Certified Gold" rating from the Rick Hansen Foundation's accessibility certification program.
The rink has a long list of accessibility features, including wider entry gates, clear rink boards to allow players and spectators to watch while in their sleds or wheelchairs and accessible change rooms and washrooms.
"Having a rink like this that's fully accessible here in Calgary is actually huge for players like myself," said Troy Clemmer, a local sledge hockey player who plays on several teams to try and get as much time on the ice as possible.
"Having that outdoor rink and feeling that rush and that cold air makes it that much more fun, too."
Several sledge hockey teams have already booked the rink for weekly practices and shinny.
"For me personally, it's really great because it gives me another opportunity to grow my skills. It's another place to do that," said Shane Mott, another sledge hockey player who hit the ice on Thursday.
The community volunteer group who helps clear the snow and work on the ice hopes to have it fully open by this coming weekend.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Conservatives launch marathon voting session over Liberal refusal to scrap carbon tax
Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives have launched an overnight marathon voting session in the House of Commons, after signalling they'd be making good on their threat to delay the government's agenda over their opposition to the carbon tax.
Two charged with murder of Quebecer Daniel Langlois and partner in Dominica
The director of public prosecutions in the Caribbean nation of Dominica has confirmed that two men have been charged in the death of Quebecer Daniel Langlois and his partner.
Death toll rises to five in cantaloupe salmonella outbreak, as cases almost double
The Public Health Agency of Canada says the death toll has risen to five in a salmonella outbreak linked to Malichita and Rudy brand cantaloupes.
Two months into war, a Palestinian doctor and an Israeli activist's son unite in calls for peace
After two months of war, a Palestinian doctor and the son of an Israeli activist, are united in a common call for peace.
Ottawa announces $5.5M for health worker well-being and foreign medical grads
Ottawa has announced nearly $5.5 million in new funding to address health worker well-being and speed up the application process for international medical graduates who want to work in Canada.
Hunter Biden indicted on nine tax charges, adding to gun charges in special counsel probe
Hunter Biden was indicted on nine tax charges in California on Thursday as a special counsel investigation into the business dealings of President Joe Biden's son intensifies against the backdrop of the looming 2024 election.
UNLV shooting suspect had list of targets at that campus and another university, police say
The suspect in the deadly shooting at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada, had a list of targets at the school and at East Carolina University in North Carolina, police said Thursday.
Canada doubling cost-of-living requirement for international students
Canada will more than double the cost-of-living financial requirement for incoming international students on Jan. 1, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller announced today.
'The Brick' is at the centre of our galaxy. An unexpected new finding may help unlock its mysteries
A box-shaped cloud of opaque dust that lies at the centre of our galaxy has long perplexed scientists, and observations that reveal a new detail about its composition are deepening the mystery — possibly upending what’s known about how stars form.