In 2008 a small local group had the idea of a free, beautifully done outdoor ice rink that could be designed to be used 12 months of the year.  The group initially approached the Buckhorn Community Centre and although they were enthusiastic with the idea, they could not take on such a project with a trillium grant application that was in the works.  At this point the group approached the municipality to help us with the initial grant.  The municipality came to an agreement with the Buckhorn Community Centre to lease the land for the Sports Pad. The municipality graciously gave two grants of $15,000 over two years.  An application to the Trillium foundation resulted in a $100,000 grant.  The total cost to build the Sports Pad (concrete flooring, hockey boards, lighting, parking lot, heated change room and storage) was $239,000.  The outstanding balance owed on the project was raised through volunteers running several fund raising events, donations & donations in kind.  One such amazing donation was the Zamboni which is stored on site and maintained by volunteers.

Not long after the initial project was completed and the project fully paid for, a roofing project was begun.  The roof project was to aid in keeping the damaging sun off the ice in the winter, snow off the ice on snowy days, rain off the ice on mild winter days and keep the rain off the concrete during the warmer months so that the Sports Pad can be used all 12 months of the year.  The roof project had a cost of $220,000.  The Sports Pad “Raise the Roof” project received a $10,000 grant from the Futures Dev. Corp and funding through various donations and fund raisers.  As of the first quarter of 2013 the Sports Pad has a balance owing of approximately $88,000.  Over the next couple of years the goal of the Sports Pad volunteers is to have the debt fully paid.

The boards around the ice rink offer large banner size poster for local businesses to advertise.  The posters are 4 feet by 8 feet and cost $200/year.  The annual expenses for the Sports pad are covered through the businesses that purchase advertising space around the rink.

Sports Pad Schedule

See the hours the Buckhorn Sports Pad operates during the winter skating season. Click here»

Events/Fundraisers

View this page to see a list of scheduled events at the Buckhorn Sports Pad. Click here»

Location

Here is where you can find the Buckhorn Sports Pad, located in the beautiful hamlet of Buckhorn, Ontario. Click here»
The Buckhorn Sports Pad is owned by the Township of Trent Lakes on land leased at the Buckhorn Community Centre.