Erskine's recreation board breathed a sigh of relief as temperatures dipped over the remainder of last week, allowing them to re-flood their outdoor rinks, repairing the damage done by a week of temperatures in the positive range.
When kids and their parents converged on the rinks on Friday, Feb. 12, they were greeted by a pristine, slick surface thanks to the hard work of the outdoor rink manager, Clint Marshall, who according to Mark Higgins, the president of the recreation board, went above and beyond to repair the surface after the thaw and then snow.
The annual Family Day skating party brought out locals for hot cocoa, hot dogs and fun, with both rinks in use — one for hockey and another for casual skating — and the indoor chalet heated to help warm up those finding themselves chilled after time in the just-below-freezing temperatures.
"We've been holding this annual event for the past several years," Higgins said. "Probably about 15, weather permitting."
The evening ended with fireworks colouring the dark night sky.