RCMP Constable (Cst.) Dylan Bergmark took a unique approach to re-connect with youth in the community after in-school activities were restricted at Amos Comenius Memorial School in Hopedale due to Covid19. He built an outdoor ice rink for the whole community to enjoy.
"Dylan was always popping into the school before COVID-19, saying hello and even participating in a few northern games challenges during sports meet practices," said Nicole McLean, a physical education teacher at the school and north coast representative for School Sports NL. "It's great to reconnect and see the community active and safely together at a time like this through the outdoor rink the Constable built."
It has been many years since Hopedale has had an ice rink. It is not an easy job to make ice and then maintain it, given the weather conditions in the area. Cst. Bergmark gets help from his colleagues and other community members. In addition to maintaining the ice, he is also working on getting some better equipment such as nets for the rink.
Kendra, a student of Amos Comenius Memorial School, said everyone loves the rink.
"Teens, families and all ages are enjoying being out there on the ice," said Kendra "I am not sure how he is flooding it, but it is very smooth and the edges of the rink are very straight."
Cst. Bergmark, who is very active and has played hockey in the past, enjoys challenging the kids to a game of shinny. Often, he will gear up and play in goal so the kids can take a few shots while he is minding the net. Goalies typically don't score a lot of goals but in this case, we're counting this one as a hat trick.