Ballpark pavilion in Shakespeare offers winter-skating fun for all ages

Skaters and hockey players of all ages take advantage of the ice at the Shakespeare ballpark pavilion. From left are Graham Ranton, Parker Glitz, Wade Keller, Kolby McLeod, Brayson Binkle, Cole Parish, Henry Borman with his son Eric, Matthew Adair and Bentley Dentstic. Gary West photo

By Gary West

What once felt like long, quiet winter afternoons for some Shakespeare-area youth has been replaced by skates on ice and sticks on pucks thanks to the busy skating rink inside the Shakespeare ballpark pavilion.

Skaters and hockey players of all ages are regularly filling the covered pavilion, located beside the ball diamonds, for everything from casual laps around the ice to lively pickup scrimmages. The rink has become a winter gathering place for families from the village and beyond, encouraging healthy activity and social connection during the colder months.

The facility traces its roots back several decades when the Shakespeare Community Athletic Association (SCAA) decided to pour a concrete pad and eventually add a roof, largely through volunteer labour and donated materials. Over time, the structure evolved into a true year-round space. Local company Faromor later added curtained sides and ends, allowing the pavilion to be enclosed during winter while remaining open and well ventilated in summer.

That flexibility has turned the pavilion into a multipurpose community hub. In warmer months, it hosts activities such as pickleball, basketball and floor hockey, along with SCAA Field Day events, family celebrations and meetings for local organizations. Use of the pavilion is by donation, helping keep it accessible to everyone.

Many local families contributed financially to the project over the years, and their names are etched into the block sidewall in recognition of their support. The result is a facility that stays busy 12 months of the year and continues to grow as a focal point of community life.

During winter, a larger rink is maintained alongside a smaller surface for those just learning to skate, helping ensure safety while encouraging beginners to build confidence on the ice. Keeping the rink in top condition requires steady effort, and a dedicated group of volunteers is responsible for flooding and maintaining the ice throughout the season.

Those volunteers include SCAA president Paul Bender along with Deb Bell, Nicholas Hergott, Wesley Johnston, John Williamson, Justin Reed, Rob Fleming, Mitch Fleming, Nick Weber and Terry Glaab. Their ongoing commitment ensures the pavilion remains a welcoming, well-used space where residents can stay active and connected all winter long.