Volunteers Kept The Rink Going
By Susannah Kerest
Front Porch Forum hosts online newsletters in every town in Vermont. Neighbors, nonprofits, businesses, and government officials can post messages, share news, get advice, make recommendations, announce events, sell items, and much more. It's all about helping neighbors to connect and build community.
This fall, Front Porch Forum is featuring Vermonters who excel at building community and offer tips for how to you can get started in your own town. Read it here in The Bridge Weekly.
"I grew up in the town of Westford, right by the Town Common," Ada said. "As a kid, I was able to walk down to the ice rink and go skating with my friends. There's an annual broomball tournament that I have really fond memories of from childhood. When I moved back to Westford from Burlington last year, I emailed the rec department and asked if there was a plan to get the rink back up and running. And they said, 'Not unless you want to do it!' And that's how I became the Westford Ice Rink Manager."
Tending to a skating rink is a lot of work. Ada used Front Porch Forum along the way to announce the revival and to recruit volunteers to help out. "Can you go it alone? Yes. Should you? Probably not." Ada recommended, "Put together a team of people who are all interested in being a part of the project. When there's a big snow, you need extra support to help shovel or snowblow the rink. Borrow some muscle!"
Ada and fellow volunteers kept the rink going all winter. Then, she organized and promoted a broomball tournament in February - but not alone. "One of my friends organized a soup-off in the Red Brick Meeting House right across the road. Some other friends worked for a brewery and brought a bunch of free beer to share, so people kind of came together and made it something that I could not have made on my own."
Ada said, "I think there's something about people knowing that the rink is being put together by volunteers, knowing that it's almost like a gift. People know that they're kind of being given this gift, they do a good job of maintaining it and giving the gift back."
Have you ever thought about reviving your local ice rink or another recreation spot in your town? Ada has a few good tips for you! Learn more here: https://frontporchforum.com/join-project/town-ice-rink