Ice rinks promote community, health

Before the City of Edmonton seriously considers targeting single-sheet rinks and swimming pools in budget cuts, I expect to see a public document with revenues, expenditures and utilization released. The city also needs to be transparent in addressing the following:

Parents with children in minor hockey to adults in recreation leagues know all too well the scarcity of indoor ice once hockey season begins. Ice is a revenue generator. Figure skating clubs offering learn-to-skate and competitive programs, as well as hockey-development schools, use single-sheet rinks.

To build community, the city offers once-a-week free public skating for one hour at many of these venues. Many community leagues offer free member swims once a week at indoor community pools.

Edmonton Public and Catholic schools use ice. From learn-to-skate sessions to hockey academies, singlesheet rinks support physical literacy and education.

In spring and summer, the single-sheet ice is removed for lacrosse leagues.

Providing accessible resources that support physical activity is an “upstream” approach to public health. Encouraging healthy lifestyles can decrease rates of obesity leading to chronic illness. This decreases long-term costs to public health care. Jill Vihos, Edmonton