A member of the Richer Community Club says it should only be a couple more weeks before their outdoor rink has a roof.

Dan Guetre says work has progressed this spring in turning that into the largest pavilion in eastern Manitoba. Once complete, the 180 feet by 110 feet rink will be covered with a canvas that stretches 50 feet off the ground.

According to Guetre, this project has been delayed by COVID-19. He notes the pandemic has forced them to issue some protocols. It has also kept some volunteers away, whose employers do not allow them to interact so closely with others during COVID-19.

Guetre says putting a canvas cover over their outdoor rink will allow them to use the facility more often throughout the year. He notes weather will then be less of an issue when planning events. It will also mean less maintenance for the skaters during the winter months. This will allow them to spend that money elsewhere in the park.

“We can have our portable skateboard park, basketball nets, floor hockey area set up during the fall, spring and summer continuously and just remove that stuff when we have a community event,” adds Guetre.

He notes they look forward to groups starting to use the stage and booking the park for music festivals, or possibly Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gatherings, or even community groups to utilize the rink once it is covered.

The total value of the project is just over $400,000. Guetre says they have tapped into all kinds of revenue streams, including local fundraising, in-kind services, the Rural Municipality of Ste. Anne through its Manitoba Hydro funding, the provincial government and numerous local companies. Premier Horticulture bought the naming rights for $100,000.

“It’s a community project, and it’s pure community that’s come together to do this,” says Guetre. “You’ve got volunteers out there that have been out there almost every day.”

Guetre says what has gone on there the last number of weeks has been absolutely amazing.