THUNDER BAY — The president of Hockey Northwestern Ontario was glad to see a Thunder Bay family win a national competition that left them with what has to be the fanciest backyard skating rink in the region.
The Hadleys, who live on the city's southern outskirts, were one of three Gold Prize winners in a Canadian Tire promotion in cooperation with Hockey Canada and TSN.
Their new rink includes lighting, furniture and a scoreboard, and a red line and blue lines that are visible at night thanks to lighting imbedded in the ice.
HNO's Jason Perrier says there were more than 10,000 submissions.
Perrier told TBNewswatch that Hockey Canada feels it's important for youths continue to have opportunities to play hockey in the midst of COVID-19 which has led to the cancellation of programs across the country.
"In our area, hockey is really shut down. All the buildings are closed until at least the 11th [of January]. When this contest came out, it gave kids a chance to still play."
Perrier said skating and hockey are also activities that strengthen family bonds by providing a safe space to create memories.
"With the World Juniors on now...I know everybody looks at the gold medals and everything, but this was about the grass roots as well. Without grass roots, we don't have the world juniors. This is how we get the next generation of players."
The Hadley family couldn't be reached Monday for comment, but in a video posted by Canadian Tire, mom April Hadley says the new rink is more than she could have imagined.
She says both her daughters love to play hockey, and it's "awesome" for them to be able to walk right out the back door to play.
Hadley says their buddies in the neighbourhood will also be invited to enjoy the rink this winter.
"It's important for the girls to develop those friendships in the community, learn teamwork. All of those skills will help them develop as players, and as people."
