Stratford on Prince Edward Island is home to a place called “Gordie’s Rink,” named after a man who has lived across from Moore’s Pond for nearly three decades. Gordie Cox has been flooding, clearing snow, and providing electricity to the ice surface on the other side of the street from his house every winter. Taking care of different sections of the ice, he prepares it for use by various groups of users.
However, over the years, vegetation and sediment gradually filled the long, narrow pond, reducing its surface area and water level. Two winters ago, the ice was usable for only a few weeks, and last year, the rinks were completely unusable.
But now, thanks to federal and provincial funding that covered most of the costs, there is no reason to complain. The sediment has been cleared, making the pond deeper and slightly narrower.
Gordie’s rinks started small, but as their popularity grew, so did Gordie Cox’s workload. “I got nets, I got shovels, and I started building a little community for hockey players, ringettes, and kids wanting to skate – just a rink for everyone,” Cox said.
After nearly three decades, Cox is now seeing the second generation of residents coming to the pond. “I’m starting to hear people say it’s their four-year-old, and they remember Gordie clearing that space for them and their friends,” he said. “Now, they’re bringing their own kids.”
Cox, a former school counselor, currently serves as a councilor for the town of Stratford. “It’s sometimes funny,” he said. “People will come up to me in a store, and I think they’re going to ask me about something I can do as a town councilor. But they come up and ask, ‘Are you the rink guy? Are you Gordie, the rink guy?'”
Cox enjoys the work needed to maintain a smooth ice surface. “Many times, I go out at 10 or 11 at night, under the moonlight, and shovel,” he said. “Sometimes foxes sit and watch me. It’s really nice to have those moments when you’re alone and enjoying nature, preparing the rinks for the next day.”
Before the pond became clogged, Cox only had a break from his work because he broke his back in January 2012, slipping with non-grip boots on the ice. When he couldn’t do it, other community members took over. But the next year, he was back behind the controls. “I just put on better boots,” Gordie said.
One of the highlights for Cox was looking at the rinks and counting 43 kids playing hockey and skating on four separate sections of ice that he had cleared. “If I look out the window and see kids waiting for a turn, I add another surface,” Cox added. This principle also applies to junior hockey. They come for a shift on the bench. “It’s for you guys to play and have fun.”
“It’s amazing,” said Gray. “So many kids and adults come here. It’s magical. I’ve lived nearby for 35 years and probably walked by it 500 times in two weeks, and there was always someone out there shoveling.”
Gray emphasized how difficult it was to see the pond deteriorate. “It was heartbreaking. We missed it so much,” he said. “Weeds grew there, then it was muddy and just awful. The pond needed attention.”
Now Gray is thrilled to see the pond restored to its splendor. “It’s really something, especially on a winter evening before dinner when it starts getting dark, and it has lights on. It looks like something out of a Canadian sketchbook,” he concluded.
FAQ:
1. What is “Gordie’s Rink”?
“Gordie’s Rink” refers to the ice surfaces that are prepared by Gordie Cox, a resident of Stratford on Prince Edward Island, and are available to various groups of users.
2. How does Gordie take care of the rinks?
Gordie floods and clears the ice surfaces and provides electricity to the rinks for nearly three decades.
3. What problems did the pond with the rinks face?
The pond, which houses Gordie’s rinks, gradually became overgrown with vegetation and filled with sediment, reducing its surface area and water level. Last year, the rinks were completely unusable.
4. How was the pond restored for use?
Thanks to federal and provincial funding, the pond was cleared of sediment, making it deeper and slightly narrower.
5. Who is Gordie Cox and what role does he play in the community?
Gordie Cox, a former school counselor, currently serves as a councilor for the town of Stratford. Additionally, he is responsible for maintaining the rinks and ensuring their usability for various groups of users.
6. What kind of users make use of Gordie’s rinks?
Gordie’s rinks are accessible to hockey players, ringettes, children wanting to skate, and other ice sports enthusiasts.
7. How does Gordie manage the maintenance of the rinks?
Gordie often goes out at night, using moonlight to clear and maintain a smooth ice surface. He enjoys these moments of solitude and appreciation of nature.
8. What were the significant moments for Gordie?
One of the significant moments for Gordie was looking at four separate sections of ice where 43 children were playing hockey and skating. For Gordie, it is important to provide joy and fun for all users.
9. How did the residents of Stratford feel after the pond was restored?
The residents of Stratford feel delighted and surprised to see the pond restored. It is a breathtaking sight, especially during winter when the pond is illuminated and resembles an inspiring landscape.
Definitions:
1. Ice surfaces – smoothed and well-maintained icy areas where one can ice skate or engage in other ice sports.
2. Sediment – organic or inorganic material that settles at the bottom of a body of water.
3. Community – a group of people living in a specific place who form social bonds and collectively benefit from the resources and attractions of that place.
Links to related pages:
– stratford.gov.uk
The source of the article is from the blog oinegro.com.br