The ice will begin melting tomorrow at the Mel Hegland Uniplex. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Ice rinks

Melting to begin for Mel Hegland Uniplex ice surfaces

Mar 18, 2019 | 5:02 PM

It’s the final day for ice at the Mel Hegland Uniplex, but those with a strong desire to skate, can still do so for five more weeks at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre (JRMCC).

In the coming days, La Ronge Parks and Recreation Manager Tonia Logan stated employees will begin removing the ice from the rink after it separates from the concrete floor. She noted a skid-steer is used to load the ice on the back of truck, which then transports it out of the building. It’s important to remove as much ice as possible, Logan said, to ensure they eliminate as much moisture as possible.

“We actually don’t turn the plant off just yet,” she said. “We actually increase the temperature. We make it warmer and, essentially, we’re melting it from the cement up.”

Throughout the winter, the Mel Hegland Uniplex hosted many events including dozens of Ice Wolves regular season games and practices. The facility is also well used by La Ronge Minor Hockey and the La Ronge Skating Club. The curling rink portion hosts league games and the final day for ice in that area was March 16.

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After all the ice melts, Logan stated staff will begin maintenance and complete any jobs that need to be done. Such work includes disassembling the board in case there are any unseen issues which need to be addressed. In the summer, the rink is used for the Churchill Community High School graduation ceremony in June, as well as weddings, cabarets and other various events.

“As soon as it’s nice for us to get outside, we’re out in the park, but we’re still doing stuff inside as well,” she said.

People are still using the ice surface at JRMCC such as teams in the North Central Minor Hockey League playoffs, as well as figure skaters and those headed for the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Youth Hockey Championships. In April, JRMCC Director of Sports and Recreation Kevin Roberts stated the facility will also be used for broomball events.

“We have five weeks of ice still to go,” he said. “We pick up the slack when they (Mel Hegland Uniplex) shuts down.”

The ice at the JRMCC, however, will be gone by the first weekend in May. Roberts stated the ice there is removed using the same method as the uniplex. The space also serves as a spot for graduations in the coming months.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno