A generation of young West Quesnel residents will benefit greatly thanks to the community coming together to ensure they have a nice selection of places to play.
While the revamp of the skate park is still a short while away from completion and the Patchett Street playground waits to be re-hauled this fall, the Lewis Drive Rink is ready for action.
The restoration project, which was headed up by Colin and Edythe Ketchum and supported by the City of Quesnel as well as a host of local residents and businesses, is now complete.
New puck board, window-protecting chain fence, a couple of hockey nets, and four basketball hoops have been installed.
Lines are also freshly painted for people to argue over whether the last bucket was a three pointer or not, and new lighting will make the call that much easier during the evening hours.
Those sitting on the newly installed bleachers will be able to weigh in when called upon.
READ MORE: Local couple spearheads Lewis Drive Rink renovation
A grand opening is planned for Sept. 8 from 1-3 p.m., and local families are encouraged to come by with their hockey sticks and basketballs to give it a proper christening.
Cake and refreshments will be provided and a sign thanking all those who helped will be unveiled.
Edythe and her husband Colin are a pair of green thumbs who can often be found puttering around in the community garden next to the rink.
“Our kids don’t live here and neither do our grand kids, but we couldn’t keep from looking over from the garden at the way the rink looked,” says Edythe.
She points out the wood was rotten and the structure looked like it was about to fall apart. It didn’t come across as a place any parent would want their young children playing in.
The pair began hounding the city to do something about it and Colin, who is a local contractor, got in touch with a lot of local businesses to see if they’d be willing to help.
The City of Quesnel managed to secure a $30,000 grant from Northern Development Initiative Trust, the local Rotary Club chipped in $3,000 and a score of corporate entities offered finances, materials and even labour.
Andy Sorensen, a shop teacher from Quesnel, brought his students to help with demolition and Jennifer Robert, a Grade 7 teacher for Riverview, helped raise $300 for the project too.
“Now it’s another [playground] on the west side that everyone can enjoy,” says Edythe.
“Colin and I have met a lot of wonderful people in the community,” she continues, “So we’ve gained from it too.”