NIPAWIN — Nipawin’s Barber’s Pond has won the Lakeland District for Sport, Culture & Recreation’s “Wonderful Winter Spot” contest.
The contest, which was judged by Facebook votes, served to highlight all of the winter spaces and places in the district.
Lyle Campbell, executive director for Lakeland District for Sport, Culture & Recreation said they decided to do the contest after they received over 1,000 votes with their summer contest “Sweet Summer Swim Spot,” which was won by Pasquia Park Pool.
“It really does just kind of show how much there is to do in our district here, not only in the summer with the Sweet Summer Swim Spot, but also in the winter with this competition,” Campbell said.
Other competing spots for the winter contest included the Kinsmen Ski And Snowboard Centre in Prince Albert; Rosthern cross-country ski trails; Pasquia Regional Park hill in Carrot River; PCU Park in Porcupine Plain; Little Red River Park's cross-country ski trails in Prince Albert; and Reservoir Rink in Rosthern.
Barber’s Pond was created earlier this season as the town’s newest ice surface. Around the surface is a tobogganing hill, play equipment and fire pits.
“It’s a really new fun area for Nipawin to go out and play and we’re excited it was recognized as an up and coming location,” said Chelsea Corrigan, Nipawin’s director of parks & recreation. “We have new ideas for next year already, and we do intend to have it return.”
On Feb. 8, Nipawin council unanimously passed a motion to buy mobile trailer floodlight for $2,500 which will be stationed around Barber’s Pond for the duration of the season. Outside of that, it will be utilized by all departments in the town.
“We do plan to use it at Barber’s Pond first to light the area so that people can participate in skating or tobogganing [at night],” she said.
“If it’s required somewhere else while it’s at Barber’s Pond, we’ll move it, and then move it back.”
