In spite of repeated attempts to get the Oakridge outdoor rink (ODR) open in time for the Christmas holidays, the unusually warm winter weather the city is experiencing is making it impossible to keep ice on the rink.
The ODR has been maintained for years through the volunteer efforts of the Oakridge Oldtimers hockey team, with members flooding the rink nightly once temperatures get cold enough. Unfortunately, this November and December has seen temperatures significantly above normal for weeks on end. As a result, nightly flooding over the last couple of weeks followed by warm and sunny days means the ice has not been holding.
The long-range forecast is calling for temperatures to continue to remain above average through to New Year’s Day. In order for the ice at the ODR to hold, the city needs to experience temperatures to remain around - 5 C for a number of consecutive days.
