Dear Editor:
Last weekend I happened to be in Kelowna and went skating at their new outdoor rink in their downtown. It was such a wonderful experience to skate in the outdoors with the sun shining – everyone there seemed to really enjoy it. The downtown area seemed so alive.
Upon arriving back in Summerland late in the afternoon on Saturday, I couldn’t believe the contrast. There were no people to be found anywhere. No one was walking in the streets and most businesses were closed.
Could we not create a similar outdoor rink in Summerland during the winter months? I can imagine families gathering on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays and skating in the downtown area. Businesses could remain open to sell hot chocolate; a skate rental business could be created; and Summerlanders could connect with each other.
An outdoor skating rink would be an incredible asset for our downtown area as it is in Kelowna.
Emily Whitehead
Summerland