Article content continued

The rink has NHL-sized dimensions of 200 feet by 85 feet, with NHL-sized board structure, two players’ benches, a penalty box and gating. Lights will allow skaters to enjoy the ice until 10 p.m. There’s also a heated Zamboni shed, change rooms and hot water lines.

“It has come together as quickly as everyone involved could make it, still in time for Christmas, and that was the goal,” said Candice Goudie, executive director of the Calgary Flames Foundation, the NHL team’s charitable arm.

Local community donors, led by the Fernie Lions Club, have worked around the clock to help ensure the rink would be ready to go by the holidays, contributing equipment and pouring water each night to help freeze the ice surface.

“So many people said, ‘what could we do’ after the tragedy,” said Giuliano. “When this offer came, we saw it as a positive place for people to put their energy and to try and make something good happen out of the sadness.”

For the Calgary Flames Foundation, the total expense of the project is $60,000 to $70,000, along with an additional $20,000 it will contribute to help pay for half of the rink’s initial operation and maintenance.

“What happened there is just awful and we heard that the arena wouldn’t be operating for a year,” said Goudie. “We renovate and refurbish arenas around Calgary every year, so we looked at that need in Fernie and as a group we just thought that would be the perfect thing to do out there. We know it’s not an arena, it doesn’t fill that gap per se, but it will hopefully help the people of that community, just having a place to play.”