Rinkwatch: Backyard Skating Meets Environmental Science

Angela Bright | Jan 30, 2013

Outdoor rinks in Canada are as much a part of winter life as black flies are to spring here in our region - just that no one would miss the black flies if they disappeared. But the loss of backyard and community rinks would be a blow to many a Canadian’s winter. Professor Robert McLeman, Assistant Professor Colin Robertson and Master of Science student Haydn Lawrence from Wilfred Laurier’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies created www.RinkWatch.org, a user-friendly website where “backyard skating meets environmental science.”

“Our hope is that Canadians from coast to coast will help us track changes in skating conditions, not just this year, but for many years to come,” said McLeman. “This data will help us determine the impact of climate change on winter in terms of length of season and average temperatures. We want to see what is actually happening.”

There are over 600 rinks registered and they would love to have some from Addington Highlands and North Frontenac. If you would like to become a part of this cross-Canada study and report your rink’s conditions over the winter, or have a look to see what it is all about, visit www.RinkWatch.org.