Central Newfoundland
The Old Rink In Buchans
The ice surface was flooded with a fire hose, and the snow was cleaned off with a metal plow. During senior hockey games, after each period, the gate at the far end would swing open and out ran a crowd of children, each carrying a broom. They would all line up and begin to sweep the snow off the ice as fast as possible. When the snow built up, a plow would pick up the snow and the sweepers would continue. In 10-15 minutes, the ice would be cleaned and ready for the next period. If a person swept the ice, they would get in free to the game. There was one company employee working in the rink and a few kids were picked to be rink rats. These kids would be paid 50 cents every time they cleaned the ice, and they would get paid at the end of the month. The rink rats had to help in flooding the ice and keeping the place clean. The rink was very popular for skating and there was always a crowd on the ice. During the winter months, the rink was a centre of activity in the town. Minor hockey was first played in the 1950s when Jimmy Hornell, an imported hockey player, formed an association. The first minor hockey started out with six pee-wee teams, four bantam teams and four junior teams. During the heyday of the rink, senior hockey was the big draw. The Buchans Miners played an exciting and physical game of hockey, winning four Herder Memorial Trophies while playing in the building. Another big event in the old rink was the yearend ice carnival. A large number of kids would take part and the rink would be filled with spectators. It was the social event of the year for the kids of Buchans. Prizes would be awarded for best costume and originality. At the end of the carnival, all the kids taking part would receive an ice cream bar and a soft drink.