Home runs to hat tricks: Riverhawks trade cleats for skates at Re/Max Field

It's off season for the Edmonton Riverhawks, but the weather isn't keeping them inside.

Re/Max Field has once again been flooded and frozen, giving the green field some winter use.

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"The weather can be so funky, but this year we've got a great base of ice … last year was a little bit of an ice-making nightmare," said Steve Hogle, the Riverhawks' general manager.

"We've had it three years, to varying degrees of success, but this is the first year we've pushed this Rink of Dreams out to the public."

The Riverhawks enjoy making a show in the summer, with various theme nights for games, and are excited to do the same in the winter.

On top of the ice rink, there are also dog sled and sleigh rides available.

Renting the ice will cost $250 an hour for groups of up to 20 people.

The team is also holding a contest for a free 1-hour skate session or shinny game.

 

 

 

 

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"This setting in the middle of the river valley is absolutely magical, it is just gorgeous," Hogle said. "You look around, the legislature is up there, Walterdale bridge, the power plant.

"We love to be able to share this with people in the summertime and we're trying to find more ways to do it in the winter time."

The baseball diamond may be a bit smaller than the usual field former Edmonton Elk Hugh O'Neill is used to, but he's making the most of it.

"It's the best ice we've had all year," O'Neill said. "It's a lot of fun, can't complain at all."

The rink can only hold 20 people maximum due for safety reasons and the team doesn't plan to expand it next year, as that could risk damaging the grass or sprinkler system.

There are other options besides ice the team might consider in the future, such as a toboggan hill, Hogle added.

Hogle is a former CFRN employee and said the team also wants to look into a charitable component to the rink, potentially drawing inspiration from the former CTV Rink of Dreams.

The rink is expected to be open until the end of February, but Hogle hopes the weather will permit it to stay open longer.

With files from CTV News Edmonton's Matt Woodman