We opened the Canteen on Monday, December 22, just in time for Winter Break, and closed it 83 days later on March 15, near the end of a very cold stretch of March weather.

We began with Sections I and A covering the regular shifts during the Christmas and New Year’s weeks. For the daytime Winter Break shifts, we used the Signup app, and the response was fantastic. All 20 daytime shifts were filled, and the rinks were packed. Wildwood really stepped up and set the tone for the rest of the winter.

Stephen provided terrific ice conditions from Sunday, December 21 through Monday, March 16. Every section took on a full week, and everyone did a fantastic job.

I want to sincerely thank and commend our Section Representatives for their effort and commitment this winter. Being a Section Rep can sometimes be a challenge, but it’s also a gift, a great way to connect with neighbours and stay engaged in the community. Yes, canteen week can feel like a grind, and the fall canvass can be a chore, but the impact of that effort on our community is truly irreplaceable. So, Amanda, Jeff, Glenn, Cam, Craig, Gwendolyne, Doris, Drew, Deborah, Candace, Doug, Sarah, Seema, Hugh, Owen, Krystal, and Jan, thank you on behalf of the Community for everything you contributed this winter.

We kept things simple and old school, but we kept the lights on, the hot chocolate warm, and made an effort to buy Canadian wherever possible.

Over the course of the season, we sold approximately $4,000 in product and generated a profit of roughly $1,300 for the Community Centre. I know from experience that not all of that comes from sales—many of you generously leave a little extra as a donation. Your support is greatly appreciated.

When Karen Kampen was doing her excellent work as Canteen Manager, she introduced the idea of adding a Square machine for cashless transactions. That decision has really paid off. The popularity of tap and card payments continues to grow, and many people appreciate the convenience of using their phone or card to grab a hot chocolate or a bag of Hawkins Cheezies. It’s made the canteen even more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the regulars. Every year, a group of skaters seems to live at the rinks, mostly boys around 10 to 14 years old, out there skating and playing hockey all winter long. If you’re one of those kids, or their parents, you know who you are. Thank you for a great winter. You are happy, active, polite, and a genuine pleasure to be around.

Despite what we often hear, I’m happy to report: the kids are alright.

That’s all for this year. Have a great summer, we’ll see you next canteen season.