Skip to content

Improved outdoor rink unveiled at Bouchie Lake

Major upgrade almost finished, says Bouchie Lake Recreation Commission

A ribbon and cake were cut over the weekend to celebrate an improved outdoor rink west of Quesnel at Bouchie Lake.

“It looks really, really shiny and new,” Barb Bachmeier said with a laugh.

The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) Director for Area B attended the official opening of the upgraded rink with community members on Saturday, Feb. 19.

Improvements to the rink include new puck board and basketball hoops.

The exterior was also painted and three new gates were installed.

“Our rink was getting in fairly poor condition,” said Bouchie Lake Hall facility manager Wendy Donald.

“We had the old puck board on there that they had taken out of the old arena [Twin Arenas] when the new arena [West Fraser Centre] was built a couple of years ago, and once it was put outside, the winter was way too cold for it and it started cracking and became a danger.”

The upgrades were made possible through a $30,000 grant from the Northern Development Initiative Trust and $35,000 from the CRD.

Read More: Bouchie Lake ice rink ready for refurbishment

Unfortunately, skating was canceled at the celebration due to the warm weather. Granville’s Coffee donated coffee and $500 to the Bouchie Lake Helping Hands Food Program for Seniors, which provided hot dogs and hot chocolate.

Team Family Fun from Quesnel was also on hand to collect bottles for the Terry Fox Foundation, and Bachmeier said they were able to fill up five carloads and a trailer.

As colder temperatures set in a few days later, Donald said she noticed at least 20 people skating on Family Day.

“The rink is in good shape now,” Donald said, noting Mark Parsey is always ready to help maintain it.

“Every time it snows, he’s out there with a snowblower and gets it cleared off for the community.”

Bachmeier said LED lights were installed throughout the recreation grounds and Bouchie Lake Hall last year and that the outdoor rink gets used quite a bit throughout all seasons.

“We’ve got a really good community of people that love our facility,” she said.

Work on the concrete pad has yet to be completed. It is anticipated to take place in the upcoming months after which lines will be painted for pickleball, volleyball, basketball and hockey.

Read More: Local couple spearheads Lewis Drive rink renovation

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com



Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.