For one glorious day, the ice froze and the children skated on the pond near St Arnaud last week.
Local Anna King says the entire Lake Rotoiti School headed to the pond on their last day of term, to lace up their skates and take to the ice. Skates were donated by the Ski Sisters for the special day so everyone could capture the fleeting freeze before the ice thawed.
“We put on a sausage sizzle to celebrate the new seats and ice-skating bars. The joy, excitement and grins on the children’s faces always makes things so worthwhile. It strengthens what a wonderful community we have and we are so thankful for all the donations and help received.”
The community raised nearly $8,000 for the seats and ice-skating bars which were built in time for this winter’s first freeze. Anna says remaining money will be used to create a historical board telling the story of the pond, dating back to 1964 when locals first skated there. She welcomes any photos or historical information about the pond by the Teetotal campsite.
Anna says the community is looking forward to more freezing weather through winter and more days on the ice.
