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Warmer weather is hitting Saskatoon, with temperatures above freezing expected this weekend.
But melting snow and slush makes outdoor rink maintenance tricky.
Alan Otterbein, manager of design and development for the Meewasin Valley Authority, said sunny days and warmer weather at this time of year can create some challenges.
When it comes to maintaining the Meewasin skating rink next to the Bessborough hotel, Otterbein said each day’s work depends on the weather the night before.
“If it stays around zero overnight, that’s when it gets challenging,” Otterbein said.
Sunny days can also be problematic, he added, as the sun beating down on the ice makes it melt faster. Ideally, Otterbein said, conditions need to be cold overnight, dropping down to at least -10 C.
“That way we can do a flood and keep the ice surface good and smooth,” he explained.
Because the rink opens at 1 p.m. each day and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, maintenance crews have some time to clear off the ice with sweepers or shovels before skaters arrive. After the surface is clear, they flood the ice with either hot or cold water to ensure the rink gets back to proper skating conditions.
Hot floods, Otterbein said, are typically used during colder weather conditions, and create a better surface to skate on.
But even with all the maintenance, there are still times where the rink can’t open because the surface is too wet or rough due to weather, Otterbein said.
“If it’s below -30 C, we won’t open because it’s too cold. And if the ice conditions are poor due to warm weather, we can close it as well,” he said.
It’s not just warm weather that can affect the state of the rink, Otterbein said. Any shifts in weather, such as freezing rain, snow and extreme cold can also be challenging to address.
Weather permitting, Otterbein said the rink will be open for their regular hours, as well as for weekend events such as Sip and Skate.
The Meewasin rink typically remains open until early- or mid-March.