2025/26 Ice Rink

REPORT

Site Weather & Climate

Try as we might, no one is yet able to control the weather. An outdoor rink like ours exists completely at the whims of Mother Nature and her ideas about appropriate weather for us.

Members will recall that this year we had erratic weather.

November was much too warm to consider serious ice-making. Any attempt to flood and make ice during temperatures above freezing would have been a waste of time and money.

December – warm weather persisted until the 2nd week of December. After Dec 14 the city of Edmonton received record amounts of abundant snow and cold weather. Like everywhere else in the city, the HOA too struggled to keep up with shovelling and snow removal.

Rink ice did get made and rink crew put in over 100 hours to shovel, sweep and maintain ice during the busiest season – the Xmas holidays/ School break. Members enjoy being able to come to the ice rink on their weekends and days off with family and friends. Our crew are keenly aware of this and tried their best to work on the ice rink after hours to ensure minimal interruptions.

January – more erratic weather. A week of +0C temps followed two weeks of record cold. It was so cold that a decision was made to close the rink and clubhouse due to dangerous wind chills.

Our rink is in similar condition to other outdoor rinks in the area. Rink crew do check on other comparable rinks frequently.

February – finally, some nicer weather. Several rink floods were undertaken. Volumes of snow were removed at considerable expense on the rink and on site.

March – below normal temperatures continued with snow. Rink operations normally cease by March 15 due to high temps and melting. However, this year we will continue as long as possible – perhaps even into Easter break if it is cold enough to sustain ice. Members are advised to skate at their own risk. Rink operations (flooding, clearing) will cease on March 16.

The HOA site drains to the South throughout. Orientation of our rink exposes the North side to bright sunlight and therefore melting does occur along this edge from time to time. Rink and grounds operations manage drainage and snow removal on site to prevent flooding and problems during the melt. This is why you see considerable snow in the playground and Spray Park area. Our crews will continue to work to manage this safely.

Member interference and crime

Earlier this year the Association was attacked several times. Break and enters and losses from vandalism and theft continued into the fall and winter. This was financially costly. Security systems, personnel and repairs have been undertaken.

Essential equipment for rink operations – such as the blowers and snow pusher shovels were stolen. The Association has replaced the snow pusher shovels several times and they continue to be stolen from the site.

Without appropriate and available equipment the rink operations crew were severely limited in the services they could provide. Members need to be aware that losses like this do have consequences – the facilites cannot be maintained to a high standard if the equipment goes missing continuously.

It is hoped that if or when the community establishes a community league – that such an entity will acquire and protect assets needed to offer these services. There are no plans to replace stolen equipment such as blowers, mowers, etc. Contractors with appropriate equipment will be hired. No equipment will be stored on site due to risk of theft.

The current Rink operator has 30+ years of Park & Rec experience with ice making. As such, the Association has no concerns about the technical skills and performance of the rink operator, given the realities of weather, crime and equipment.

Reasonable expectations & community involvement

Early in the season the Association published commentary on www.stillwaterhoa.ca inviting Members to assist in snow removal on site, if necessary. The rink operator often had Members assist by pushing snow to the sides, etc. Great community spirit and leadership was demonstrated.

It is hoped that the community at large might form a league or club (i.e. skating club) to staff a volunteer snow brigade/team/patrol to ensure that the amenities are secure, maintained and available to the level that people desire. The Association will continue to manage site operations.

 

COLLECTIONS ACTION

• ALL accounts in arrears are referred to Field Law – Collections
• Notices of Delinquency, Demands,  Collections letters and escalated collections processes are performed by Field Law, NOT by the Association.
• Payment of Arrears + Legal Costs MUST be made to Field Law ONLY
• Payment of Arrears claims to the HOA does not remove the account from collections, nor relieve a Member from financial responsibiity for cost of collections.

If you have received demand letters or notices from Field Law, then you alone are responsible for making payment to Field Law, settling the demand and keeping your payment receipt.

The Association does not manage arrears payments, pay individual legal fees, or perform notification or account management for Members in arrears.

Members are strongly urged to manage and access their accounts and to pay their HOA fees in full and on time to avoid collections costs. 

Per the Bylaws of The Association, arrears must be collected using all legal methods available including, but not limited to, foreclosure actions under the encumbrance registered in priority on title. This may involve contact with a Member’s financial institution/ mortgage company.

Delinquent accounts are collected on a FULL RECOVERY basis.

The Association will not absorb, waive or pay any legal fees incurred in the collection of an account. The Association cannot offload individual legal expenses onto the general membership (who pay their fees on time). It is unfair for the Membership to pay the costs of the small minority (5-10%) of delinquent accounts in arrears.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS

WHEN:

• Thursday Sept 18 4-7:00PM
• Thursday October 9 4-7:00PM
• Thursday November 20 4-7:00PM
• Thursday December 11 4-7:00PM  
• Thursday January 15 4-7:00PM
• Thursday February 12 4-7:00PM
• Thursday March 12 4-7:00PM TOPIC: COMMUNITY LEAGUE formation 

WHERE: HOA Clubhouse – near the skating rink

WHAT:  Give your input to the Association. Ideas and suggestions welcomed in a casual, open and respectful forum with your fellow Members.

WHO:  All Members are invited

TOPICS:

Architectural Guidelines

Bylaw Enforcement/City of Edmonton

Community Programs – Sports & Leagues

Facilities, Landscaping, Maintenance

Fees, Invoices & Collections

Playground/ Spray Park/ Outdoor Rink

Crime & Vandalissm

Rules & Regulations

Safety & Site Security

NOTE: For privacy reasons, individual Member account/ matters cannot be addressed in this event. Email or call the HOA Management or request an appointment to address your specific issues.

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