Everyone is welcome to come skate with some local celebrities to celebrate Canada 150.
Some special guests will be among the crowd, with former NHLer and Ponoka native Harry York scheduled to drop in along with Santa Claus expected to come lace up his skates on Dec. 10.
The small indoor ice surface as well as the outdoor rink at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex will be hosting the event from 1 to 5 p.m. The day is being sponsored by the Town of Ponoka and Ponoka Minor Hockey plus the Ponoka Fire Department will also be there to look after the bonfire for those attending.
The indoor ice will be available for free skating while there will be shinny hockey on the outdoor rink, in addition to cake and refreshments.
York spent the better part of four seasons playing with the St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Vancouver Canucks.
Along with the skating, a plaque recognizing the $110,000 Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program funding awarded to Ponoka earlier this year will be unveiled. The plaque, which will also be placed in the lobby, witll be revealed in a special ceremony at 3 p.m. before the midget hockey tournament final.
The funding was used at the complex for: installing of energy-efficient LED lighting for the indoor and outdoor ice surfaces, as well as the parking lot; new insulation and metal cladding on the west wall; replacement of arena netting; replacement of two dehumidifiers; replacement of water and sewer lines; and repaving a portion of the parking lot.
The renovations cost $253,000 with the town funding its portion through provincial grant funding.
“This funding has helped to cover the cost of valuable upgrades to a recreation facility that is vital to our community. We thank the Government of Canada for its generous grant contribution to these important capital projects and we look forward to continuing to work with the federal and provincial governments on continued recreation facility improvements for the Town of Ponoka,” said Ponoka Mayor Rick Bonnett.