New Year’s Eve skating at Rotary Park

On New Year’s Eve in Whitecourt there were plenty of outdoor activities to get into whether you wanted to slide, ski, or skate. The outdoor rinks were in full use from Percy Baxter to Central School and the big skating surface at Rotary Park which wraps all the way around the island. Many community members took advantage of the mild weather and dressed up for a day outside.

Down at Rotary Park, the pond area was in full swing with a large bonfire lit in the provided community pit. Local families came down, many as part of a yearly tradition and with hot chocolate in hand, to glide around the ice and skate in the New Year.

Amanda Aubin was one of the mothers staying warm near the fire watching her son skate around with his friends, “We usually come down every New Year’s Eve to do this with the kids, play hockey, and bring our family and friends along.”

Giving a nod to the town, Amanda said, “It’s really great that they clear the ice and have the bonfire available for us to use.” Her son, Kaleb Aubin, and the children who joined them, spent the afternoon popping back in for a hot dog and quickly getting back out onto the ice to continue having fun.