Help fund Season 3 of the Casa Loma Parkette Community Rink

Dear Friends and Neighbours,

We are gearing up to open Season 3 of the Casa Loma Parkette Community Skating Rink, located at 328A Walmer Road. Thanks to a recent cold snap and the dedication of our volunteer team, we are getting the ice ready for skating early this season! If the weather cooperates, we hope to invite you all to the ice soon.

Created by a group of neighbours in 2023, our goal was to create a community rink where kids, families and residents could come together to have fun outdoors and enjoy the winter season. This is a true community effort -- The rink is 100% funded by donations and maintained by community volunteers.

Last year the city installed a new outdoor water source and provided us with a fire hose for flooding—a game-changer for ice making! Casa Loma built our rink frame, and we are immensely grateful for their ongoing support and partnership. For help with equipment and operational costs, we depend on support from the wider community.

By contributing to our fundraising efforts, you will be helping us cover the costs that are not funded by the city: Our liner, a significant expense, must be replaced every year (Approx. cost is $1000). Additional funds go into equipment upgrades, repairs, and community events for the 2024-5 skating season. This year we are hoping to get rink mats to make it easier and safer for people to get on and off the rink. Your support ensures that we can continually improve the rink, making it the best version yet. Every single donation goes directly back into the rink, and any surplus funds will be carried over into the next year.

Your support is greatly appreciated and we thank you for considering a donation. Our top 3 donors this year will receive a custom-designed Casa Loma neighbourhood toque - They will also be on for sale for $45 each in late January.

Please follow the Casa Loma Parkette Facebook page for news and updates about rink opening, events and ice conditions: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1030348701383119/

Thanks for your support, we appreciate every contribution.

Sincerely,

Robert, Sarah, Jeremy, Yitz, Doug, Nicole, Gabe & Morgan

The Casa Loma Rink Volunteers

Cover photo by Meg Pollock