Young and old braved the winter chill at the outdoor ice oval Sunday. 250News photo

Prince George, B.C. – A northerly wind gusting into the high thirty and low fourty kilometre range did not manage to dampen the spirits of those determined to take advantage of Sunday afternoon’s free skate at the Outdoor Ice Oval at the Exhibition grounds.

Whether it was some holiday vigor, or perhaps concerns about rigor setting in, the hearty souls who bundled up and turned out for the free Holiday Skate certainly seemed to enjoy strapping the blades on and circling the 400 metre oval under a clearing sky. The oval, of course, is going to be put to good use during the Canada Winter Games in February as it will host the long track speedskating competitions.

Maybe the young fellow in the photo above has aspirations of one day competing in such events himself. In any event, he and the others who turned out Sunday enjoyed a smooth-as-glass ice surface, free hot chocolate and some background music, courtesy of the Outdoor Ice Oval Society. They also had a chance to view the building under construction on the west side of the oval. Timing equipment will be located there as will office space for staff. The building will also provide heated cover for ice surfacing equipment, a water truck and other gear required for the upkeep of the track.