Skip to content

Kraft Hockeyville: Let’s raise a roof

My children started skating at Sylvan Lake arena in 1981. From that day on the rink has been an extension of our family!

BY DEBBIE THOMAS

My children started skating at Sylvan Lake arena in 1981. From that day on the rink has been an extension of our family! Lifelong friendships have been made. The people we have met and the memories we have made! We have laughed, cried and done a whole lot of cheering! And a whole lot of eating! How many people have walked through those doors and made a memory? Be it the first time on skates, first goal, first save, first medal or trophy, first axel, first test day, first hockey tournament, first competition, first hockey camp, first job, first day at kindergarten or first day at Scouts! We have coached, figure skated, played hockey, organized events, had potlucks, family events, dog shows, attended Girl Guides or Boy Scouts, skate-a-thons, kindergarten, birthday parties! I even recall talk of a petting zoo!

We have worn our arena jerseys, track suits, hoodies, snow suits, t-shirts and hats with pride!

We have welcomed aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, friends and neighbours to watch our children use our beloved ice!

We have mourned people who have walked through those doors, never to return!

I was fortunate enough recently to volunteer for two events held at the arena! One was the Yuletide Festival and the other was the Centennial skate where I was able to see some of my friends and my own beloved grandchildren skate on that ice! As usual I was one of the last to leave — I ended a year of celebrations in my rink not realizing it was the last one our girl would see!

I am sure many people share my sentiments in saying THANK-YOU Graham Parsons for helping me to raise my children along with several thousand others in a community building like no other. I salute you my friend.

I received a text at 1:42 last Monday morning telling me my beloved rink was tired! Our lives changed forever! Goodbye old friend, you served us well! Thanks for the memories!

We need Hockeyville 2014 because we have heart and all love that ice! We need to make more memories! Lakers we are! Let’s raise a roof!