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PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1982, WHITBY FREE PRESS whitby C Voice of the County Town Michael Ian Burgess, Publisher - Managing Editor Ibe only Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by Whitby residents for Whitby residents. Published every Wednesday by M.B.M. Publishing and Photography Inc. Phone 668-6111 The Free Press Building, 131 Brock Street North, P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. MICHAEL J. KNELL Community Editor MARJORIE A. BURGESS Advertlslng Manager Malling Permit No. 460 Second Clase Mail Registration No.5351 It Is nice to know Whitby people care Who says Whitby people are apathetic? For they certainly are not. Last Saturday, Whitbyltes turned out in full for- ce to take part in the Oshawa-Whitby Big Brothers Association's "Bowl for Millions" Celebrity Day. The members of the Whitby Free Press' bowling team were delighted to see a good cross-section of local organizatiòns participating inh the event including the Whitby Chamber of Commerce, the Whitby Jaycees, the Kinsmen Club amongst others Includlng a team from the Town of Whitby. We are confident that these Whitby people who gave up their Saturday afternoon raised a good portion of the money that will be used to help operate the Big Brothers. The turn-out was good for a number of reasons. Firstly, participating In an event like this is a good way to build up a feeling of community and gives these organizations a chance to meet one another and work for a common goal. Secondly, it shows that Whitby people really do care about the problems faced by their neigh- bours, in this case, the problems face.d by father- less boys. A community Is more than a collection of homes and businesses centered in one particular geographic, area. A community Is a sense of feeling, a sense of belonging that is shared by the people who Inhabit those homes and operate those businesses. It is more than heartening to see that Whitby has this sense of community or is, at least, building it. For the last several weeks, the Whitby Free Press has been publishing a "Salute to Whitby Community Organizations" In an effort to make our readership more aware of the vital role played by these organizations. Far too often, the good Work that they do goes unnoticed and unreported in the public press. Far too-often, the people who make these organiza- tions what they are go unrecogpized for the effor- ts. It is also heartening to know that these organi- *zations and their members are willing to lend a hand to the efforts of other organizations and will do their part to help further many worthwhile goals and objectives. Whitby people are involved. Whitby people do care and this publication would like to thank them for their efforts and to encourage thern to keep up the good work. A special word of thanks to the Free Press staf- fers who bowled (or at least tried) and to those members of our organization who turned out to give their moral support ... your thoughtfulness was appreciated. Reader concerned about lack ofoutdoor rinks EDITOR'S NOTE: The following Us an open letter to Mayor Bob Attersley from Doug Mitchell who lives in the Orchard Court area of town. Mr. Mitchell has some Interesting points to raise about the lack of outdoor skating rinks In the town and relates some of his experlences in the Montreal suburb of Dollard. In our next Issue, the Free Press will attempt to get the mayor's reactlon to Mr. Mitchell's let. ter. Dear Mayor Attersley: On two separate occasions recently, I flew into Montreal on business, and was amazed at the number of outdoor skating rinks that were evident from the air. It seemed that every half mile, each community had a fully lit and boarded facility available for public "shinny", with an adjacent flooded area for casual skat- ing enjoyment. No wonder that French Canadian hockey players are dominant in the NHL draft each year! lt's their way of life! The stranger who was seated next to me was interested in my comments about Whitby's lack of facilities and of- fered information about his own ,community. A recent suburb of Montreal, Dollard, has had a rapid pop- ulation increase to about 40,000 people since 1977* and boasts of having three indoor hockey/skating are- nas, and no less than twelve (that's 12) outdoor faci- litiesl They include lights, boards, and many have adjacent pleasure skating rinks. They are fun- ded by the munici- pality and main- tained (flooded) by the fire department. It is my under- standing that some years ago, similar arrangements were made for the Peel Park and Willow Park lacrosse en- closures, but for some reason has been discontinued. As an "ex" hockey player when Whitby boasted of its inter- national fame, and a recent member of the "Hall of Fame", I am surprised that the lack of outdoor skating facilities has continued during your term of office. I would have thought that you would promote it, not let it die! As the father of two Brooklin/ Whit- by minor hockey leaguers who are fantasizing about a "Great Gretzky" contract, as are hundreds of other Whitby youths, it is disappointing that I cannot take them to an outdoor rink and show them some of the "rusty" moves. the old man stili possesses and brags about with declining authenti- city as the years go by. I don't belleve that a lack of in- terest was the rea- son for not continu- ing with outdoor rinks. Surely water is still expensive (at least that's what the Region of Durham tells us) and the Whitby Fire Department are community spirited enough to volunteer their services during normal work- ing paid hours. The following suggest- ions would give Whitby hockey or figure skating hope- fuis an opportunity to get outdoors and participate to a greater extent than the present "struc- tured" approach to league play; le. five, 3 minute shifts, or 15 minutes of hockey a week is not enough: 1) Flood & main- tain Willow Park la- crosse enclosure. 2) Flood & main- tain Peel Park la- crosse enclosure or put up 1' (one foot) high boards on the soccer field under the lights and a huge rink could be made. There is parking there also. It certainly wouldn't do further harm to the grass. 3) Flood the mar- sh/baseline area between Ajax and Whitby with a port- able pump utilizing the lake water already available, and after a snow- fail, dispatch a plough to clear the large area closest to shore. This is by far the best and most natural en- vironment for kids to enjoy "pond hockey", and at pre- sent, are restricted by the conditions. I realize there could be potential danger and legal implica- tions with this suggestion if spon- sored by the town, but surely "Use at, Own Risk" signs could be posted. I look forward to your comments with respect to my suggestions, as I am sure they echo the thoughts of many Whitby resi- dents. i am sending a copy of this letter to the Kinsmen, Kiwanis, Rotarians, Optimists, Lions, Jaycees and the Knights of Colum- bus, as they may want to consider one of these pro- jects as a com- munity minded en- deavour consistent with their fine effor- ts in other areas. Yours truly, Doug Mitchell, Orchard Court, Whitby. ........... m