Served a lot of rink fries
Lorraine Kinch’s career at Jacques Cartier Arena spanned 40 years
Whether it was to order rink fries or to schedule ice time, anyone who visited the Jacques Cartier Arena in Alberton over the past four decades likely encountered Lorraine Kinch. From 1977 to 1999 she worked as canteen manager and since then, has managed the entire facility.
With the 2018 ice season drawing to a close and before a cheering crowd, Kinch was recently invited out onto the arena ice to accept a parting gift.
After 41 years working at the arena, Kinch is retiring.
The retirement is not official until the arena’s fiscal year is up in September, but it will be someone else in charge when the ice goes back in.
Following on-ice presentations, there was a reception and cake for Kinch upstairs, but she couldn’t be convinced to stay up there to eat.
There were customers in the canteen and fries to cook, and she just had to get back to her post.
Meeting all the children has been a highlight of her career, Kinch reveals.
“I loved it. There’s no doubt about that; I loved it.” Although suggesting it’s time someone else took over management of the facility, Kinch admits she’ll miss the people.
“You meet a lot – a lot – of people. You see them, maybe, year after year, but, then, maybe, a few years you don’t see them and then they’re back again and they will always come to say hi.”
Craig Oliver, chairman of the arena’s board of directors, says Kinch will be missed. “Why Lorraine was so good for the rink is because she treated it as it were her own,” he said in describing her concern for the facility.
Another of Kinch’s highlights came in 2015 when the Jacques Cartier Arena hosted the Midget AAA Air Canada Cup.
“That was a lot of work, but I had a lot of help.”
Responsible for the arena’s staff of six, Kinch said she will maintain the books until the arena’s fiscal year is up in September.
She also plans to be around to assist when the ice goes back in, come fall.
“I’ll help out when they first start, getting going.”