KINKORA, P.E.I. — Kids were dashing through the snow to get their fix of wintry fun at the third annual Kinkora Winter Carnival, Saturday morning.
From speeding down a hill on a sled, warming up by the crackling bonfire or skating on the outdoor rink, there were a plethora of activities spread over the five-day carnival for both young and old.
Robert Duffy, president of Duffy Construction Ltd., had a significant impact on making this carnival a success by donating his truck to flood the ice rink, including space.
“We had an ice rink in the community a few years ago, and residents maintained it, but until now, there was nothing for the kids. Lots of youth are not involved in organized skating or hockey, so having this (outdoor rink) is an opportunity to be included,” Duffy said.
Duffy, along with volunteers Brandon McCardle, Jonathan Noonan and Andrew McCarville, spent many hours over the last two weeks flooding the rink. While local farmers Gordie McKenna and Andrew Smith made the kids' sledding hill on Friday evening.
“We flooded the ice rink with water and patched some holes, but it takes a village to maintain. Volunteers have been quick to help whenever the sun starts to melt the ice,” said McCarville, of parks and recreation with the municipality, who noted there had been skaters enjoying the free facility day and night.
Duffy said plans are in the air to expand Duffy Community Sportsplex, which is a year-round, multi-use facility.
“We want to expand, so kids have somewhere they can go and play hockey or skate. Some evenings we see 25 to 30 kids skating on the ice rink, so it’s working out.”
He acknowledged a recent surge in Kinkora’s population.
“Our family originated here back in the early 1900s. My grandfather and father lived here. I built a house here, and my brother is raising his family in this area, plus we have a great education system. We’re attracting subdivisions and new families, and other communities are watching our growth.”
Last weekend, some events were cancelled because of heavy snow and dropping temperatures, but this weekend only fun was in the forecast.
“It’s great to bring the community together and get people out and active over winter,” said Amanda Lefurgey, one of the organizers of the carnival who was helping run the activities booth.
Music played from loudspeakers over the winter wonderland scene as families flocked to participate in the activities, the most popular being the ice rink.
