An ice rink in Shakespeare is ready – now it just needs the cold

A backyard rink on Galt Street in Shakespeare, built and maintained by the Fuhr family, stands ready for freezing temperatures to turn it into one of the area’s most popular winter hangouts. Gary West photo

By Gary West

A backyard rink on Galt Street in Shakespeare is only waiting on freezing temperatures before it becomes one of the busiest spots in the neighbourhood.

Jeff Fuhr, a carpenter by trade, has been building and maintaining one of the area’s best backyard rinks for several years. Each winter, he transforms his yard into a full-size skating surface for his children and their friends, complete with boards, a plastic liner and lights for evening hockey practice.

Earlier this week, a water tanker finished flooding the rink for the first time this season. Now, the Fuhr family – along with plenty of friends and neighbours – are watching the forecast closely, eager for temperatures to drop so they can lace up for another winter of skating and Canada’s favourite pastime.