Foxwarren devastated after rink destroyed by strong winds

In small towns across Canada, the local rink is both the town hall and the church, that was the case here in the municipality of Foxwarren, Manitoba.

Where for the past 75 years, the Foxwarren Arena has been the true beating heart of this community.

“Everybody knows this rink there is hundreds of thousands of people who played here, figured skated, I just hope it can continue,” said Patrick Graham, whose grandfather helped build the rink in 1949.

Winds exceeding 100 kilometres an hour tore a large strip off of the roof of the rink, leaving the community of 90 people, without their winter time gathering place, just weeks ahead of the start of the hockey season.

For resident Patrick Graham, whose grandfather helped build the rink in 1949, the Ol’ barn holds sentimental value.

“Hopefully they can fix it, it’s a small town it’s kind of all we have here, I want my little guy here to skate here and play here, it’s just shocking.”

Mark Wotton one of the numerous NHLers to get their start, learning to skate at Foxwarren Arena, now chairs the Arena’s board.

Wotton like many in the community has been left with more questions than answers and is awaiting a structural assessment of the rink to see if it is salvageable.

“Once we got inside the damage was quite severe, it was devastating, to say the least,” said Wotton.

“We need to have a building inspector come in, a structural engineer come and take a look at the damage and that all takes time so we won’t know anything concrete for a few days.”

While they await the next steps, Wotton says the board is exploring all options, but of course, would prefer to see the rink be granted a second lease on life.

“That’s the number one goal we are after, is to keep this in the community, and have it here forever.”