Safety and weather guide daily operations at the Smiths Falls ODR
SMITHS FALLS — Public frustration over an uncleared outdoor rink prompted the Town of Smiths Falls to clarify maintenance practices and volunteer rules at the Gerry Lowe Memorial Sens Rink.
In a written response provided after Monday night’s council meeting where Recreation Director Stephanie Clark shared a verbal report about the recent social media backlash concerning the outdoor rink, she further clarified with Hometown News ono Wednesday that the outdoor rink (ODR) is maintained by town staff which limits volunteer participation, particularly when it comes to powered equipment and safety protocols.
Clark said the Smiths Falls ODR is overseen by the town’s Department of Community Services, with day-to-day maintenance carried out by operations and facilities staff.
“Town staff have been maintaining the rink throughout the season using town equipment, including snow removal equipment and the ice resurfacer for flooding and maintenance,” Clark said.
She confirmed the initial ice laydown began Dec. 3 and was completed using water hoses, the ice resurfacer, and assistance from the Smiths Falls Fire Department on several occasions.
Maintenance, Clark said, is weather-dependent and responsive rather than based on a fixed schedule.
“Our standard is that it is attended to, at a minimum, daily when the operations team is on shift,” she said, noting staff monitor snowfall, temperature, and ice conditions and respond as conditions allow.
Clark said no maintenance was provided on statutory holidays over Christmas and New Year’s when staff were off duty, and those days coincided with snowfall events. She said staff have logged nearly 75 hours of maintenance on the outdoor rink so far this season, and the rink was closed due to weather for just under one week since opening.
Questions around volunteer involvement intensified after a weekend video circulated on social media showing a local citizen snowblowing the ice surface, followed by another video showing the town’s ice resurfacer in use the following day.
Clark confirmed the video showing the ice resurfacer depicted routine maintenance by town staff. She said the snowblowing shown in the other video was not conducted by town staff and was not formally authorized.
“It appears to have been a well-intentioned community member attempting to assist,” she said.
Clark said activities involving powered equipment, flooding, ice maintenance, and repairs are managed exclusively by trained town staff to ensure safety, consistency, and appropriate risk management.
“When maintenance equipment is operating, staff ensure the surface is cleared of skaters,” she said. “Equipment is operated by trained personnel only, and staff may temporarily close access to the rink during maintenance.”
At the same time, Clark said the town values community pride and stewardship.
“We are encouraged when residents take pride in caring for shared spaces,” she said. “That sense of collective responsibility is exactly what outdoor rinks are meant to foster.”
Clark said the rink was gifted to the community and is located on town-owned land, making it a town facility for the purposes of operation, maintenance, safety, and risk management, while remaining an outdoor, weather-dependent community amenity.
In fact, it was 11 years ago this month when the Smiths Falls ODR was opened to much fanfare and community celebration, marking the long-time efforts of Gerry Lowe’s family and his love for hockey, and Lowe’s ongoing support of kids partaking in sports.
Clarke also clarified that COVID-era restrictions are no longer in effect and the rink operates under standard safety and conduct guidelines. Helmets are strongly encouraged.
Residents are encouraged to report concerns through official town channels rather than social media. Clark said the town communicates closures and advisories through its website and municipal social media accounts, and staff also speak directly with users when clearing the ice.
Residents can contact the town by emailing info@smithsfalls.ca or calling the municipal office. Clark said updated signage with contact information is being installed at the rink, noting earlier signage was no longer in place.
Clark said staff will continue to monitor conditions daily and maintain the rink as weather and staffing allow.
“The rink is safe and usable,” she said. “We are very pleased with its condition this season and have seen significant daily use.”
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