Calgary residents are getting more time on the ice thanks to efforts from EllisDon.
After budget cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic delayed upgrades and repairs to the Temple Community Skating Rink, EllisDon stepped in to help.
The company partnered with former pro Canadian figure skater Elladj Baldé, who now is a TikTok star with more than one million followers and who recently launched a non-for-profit, Skate Global Foundation.
It was the first project for the foundation, which seeks to build outdoor rinks in underserved communities. EllisDon Calgary’s Special Projects team donated the manpower and supplies required to make the necessary improvements to the rink. The rink is set to officially open to the public on Dec. 17.
“We cladded the outside of the rink with painted ply so they could put community art on there,” explained Mark Wiseman, manager of special projects for EllisDon. “They also had some existing framework for some benches to tie your skates on. So we built that all up to create more of a wind shelter.”
Wiseman said he recruited a team of EllisDon superintendents, project managers and co-ordinators to do the work.
“I know it was a bit of an eye-opener for some because they have never picked up a drill in their life, so it was good hands-on experience for them,” said Wiseman. “Overall, as a team building activity, it was great. It has been tough getting together with COVID and what not, so it was great to have an excuse to get out and do something all together.”
EllisDon was supported by its partner, United Decorating, which provided the painted ply. The project took several weeks to plan and was executed in one day with roughly 20 people.
“EllisDon is a key member of the community here in Calgary and anything we can do to give back to the community that has made us so successful is a win for everybody,” said Wiseman.
EllisDon recently implemented a new approach its charity efforts. The company’s various team leaders in the area are each assigned a community association or initiative to get engaged in. They then champion their project and lead it from inception to completion.
“It’s important for us to be as involved as the larger oil and gas companies are. We are a key driver here and it’s important for us to show that we are part of the community,” said Wiseman.
Follow the author on Twitter @RussellHixson.
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