Bush Creek ice rink reopens
Get your skates on! Arrowtown has a free community ice rink once again.
Last used in the early 1990s, Bush Creek ice rink reopened on Sunday after a three-year labour-of-love project by committed locals.
They've re-established the 30m x 20m flat rectangle of ice on the smell of an oily rag, backed by advice and support from an expert ice maker and various contractors, all with a connection to the project.
The rink harks back to simpler times and the Lakes District Museum has already shared photos of Arrowtown's ice skating glory days from the 1950s to 80s, when hundreds of people would come from Otago, Southland and beyond to skate on the Nairn St rink.
After changes to the town's water supply and milder winters, creating the Nairn Street rink became too difficult and it closed in 1983. Locals would head up to the Bush Creek rink instead but it also eventually fell into disrepair.
Now it's back and more than hundred people turned out on Sunday for a skate.
Bush Creek ice rink committee member Rebecca Dobson grew up in the Maniototo, skating on frozen ponds with her brothers, and says one of the goals was to let today's generation enjoy the same natural experience.
"It was a great day seeing all the families walking up through the track, bringing their firewood and their skates, all the kids, three generations arrived, all having a go, sharing skates, toasting marshmallows on the barbeque and just embracing the local environment in the winter.
"That's what it's all about and it was such a great celebration of what we've achieved."
Youngsters take to the ice at Sunday's reopening day
The idea to re-establish the rink came about three years ago from bunch of friends who all play in the same local ice hockey team.
After gaining permission from Russell Hamilton, who manages the land on behalf of Switzerland-based record producer Robert 'Mutt' Lange, the team began a process of trial and error.
"The first couple of years we tried we had no success. It held water and ice but we didn't really have our method right. This year we got some advice from an expert ice maker and changed up our process.
"The weather over the last week has helped too, these hard, crisp frosts."
The base for the rink has been created from the clay used to seal the original rink, then construction scalpings and a layer of compacted builders' mix.
The ice has been built up in layers each night, with water poured onto the rink once the previous layer has frozen and been levelled.
The project has received some funding from an Arrowtown community sports fund, but it's mainly been the efforts of the volunteer committee and support from contractors who want to see the project succeed.
"They've spent endless hours and money out of their own pocket to get it going."
How long will it last?
"We hope to get a good few months out of it but even if we got a week, we'd be happy with what we've produced," she says.
"That's the beauty of it, when the weather's right and the temperature drips, and everyone comes out and uses it for as long as they can.
"It's for the community, completely free, and we just ask that everyone respect the space and look after it."
The rink also has a Facebook page, which has already attracted 1000 followers.
