ICING CALL
I dropped by the Kitsilano ice rink Wednesday morning to check in with the members of the Older Adult Skate who get together twice a week at the arena for exercise, and more importantly, to socialize.
Wednesday was special, not only because it was Feb. 29, a day that comes around once every four years, but also because it was the birthday of longtime skater John Kriss, who depending on the math turned either 21 or 84. Both dates were marked on the birthday cake presented to him prior to the skate. Kriss was also given a gag gift of a walker modified to sit on two skates, which he took for a spin on the ice. More than 40 skaters showed up Wednesday and many are in their 60s and 70s.
Kriss told me it's not just the exercise that keeps him coming back, but also the friendships he's made at the rink.
He's concerned because the Older Adult Skate program typically continues on at Kits arena through to June, but he's heard that due to park board budget cuts the spring portion of the program will be shifted to the new Hillcrest ice rink near Main Street and West 33rd. That's a distance the 84-year-old isn't willing to travel.
"It's just too far," Kriss told me. "You know, we regularly get 40 skaters out. It would be too bad if they couldn't skate because the program moved."
NPA commissioner John Coupar showed up to wish Kriss a happy birthday while I was at the rink so I asked if he knew anything about the change in skating venue, but he didn't have enough information to comment. Park board general manager Malcolm Bromley arrived to congratulate Kriss after I left, so I didn't have the opportunity to ask him.
Park board media spokesperson Joyce Courtney did respond to my inquiries. She confirmed that to save money the ice will be removed from Kits, Killarney and Trout Lake rinks by the end of March. She noted the much newer Hillcrest rink is more central and also highly energy efficient, particularly in the spring and summer months, which tax the ice refrigeration systems at older arenas.
Courtney said the Older Adult Skate program will be given the same time slots it has now, with an extra 15 minutes added on. Posters are being created to inform all skaters of the changes.
LIFE SAVING
Vision Vancouver park board chair Constance Barnes told me Wednesday she's delighted lifeguard services weren't reduced as was proposed in the draft 2012 operating budget. "We were all worried about that," Barnes told me. "You lose one child and that's one too many."
Barnes also pointed out the operating budget was passed unanimously by all of the park board commissioners, including NPAer John Coupar who was sharply critical of some of the recommendations, in particular the proposed cuts to lifeguard positions.
To make up the $2.4 million shortfall in its $104 million operating budget, the park board will cut another $431,000 from "non-essential maintenance," and another $766,000 by consolidating clerk work, combining programming at rinks and fitness centres, and optimizing recreation facility use during low periods, among other changes.
sthomas@vancourier.com Twitter: @sthomas10
