Global Synthetic Ice helps the municipality of Wood Buffalo skate away with Outstanding Achievement Award!
Fort Chipewyan's Archie Simpson Arena synthetic ice initiative earned the Outstanding Achievement Award
at the 2011 Minister of Municipal Affairs' Awards of Excellence. The award was presented at the Alberta Urban
Municipalities Association (AUMA) convention held in Calgary last week in recognition of leading practices by local governments in Alberta.
Mayor Melissa Blake payed tribute to the innovative Super-Glide rink at the Simpson Arena, stating, "Our Municipality prides itself on innovation, and to be recognized by the Province today is an honour," said Mayor Blake. "I am especially proud of our Municipal employees who thought outside the box to respond to the needs of our residents."
The Archie Simpson Arena is made with Super-Glide synthetic ice, a specially engineered polymer coated with a lubricant on a regular basis to keep it slippery during summer months. During the winter months, it converts quickly and easily to a natural frozen ice surface requiring a reduced amount water and time to achieve the necessary thickness.
This practical, economical, and environmentally friendly alternative was installed at the Archie Simpson Arena to provide increased year-round recreational opportunities for residents in Fort Chipewyan.
When the NHL-sized rink opened in 2010, it attracted considerable media
attention due to being the first rink of its type in all of North America. Other Canadian communities have been turning to Fort Chipewyan for insight into their experience and success with Global Synthetic Ice and Super-Glide.