The younger residents of O’Leary in 1992 would have little idea of how the young people in 1900 enjoyed skating without the pre- sent day conveniences. The weather was harsher, the roads were snow covered all winter and travelling was done by horse and sleigh or walking. The clothing worn then was not of nylon as today, but handmade woollen socks, sweaters and mittens.

The first rinks were in fields where the water gathered and froze. In order to skate the rink usually had to have the snow removed and everyone pitched in to get it done quickly.

Later a rink was made by putting boards around an area and when it was cold enough to freeze, the rink would be flooded by car- rying buckets of water from a pump in the barn or house.

Interest in hockey came with the advent of radio in 1930 when Hockey Night in Canada was a regular program everyone listened to on Saturday night. The favourite team was the Toronto Maple Leafs. Boys started playing hockey in the outside rinks with very meagre hockey equipment.

An outside rink was made behind the Station House in O'Leary in 1912, and in 1933 the first indoor rink was constructed near the site of the present rink.

Dr. J.B. Champion was interested in improving community life and was instrumental in forming a committee to build a rink. The O'Leary Rink Association was incorporated in 1933 with the follow- ing directors: AJ. Matheson, Vernon Matthew, Gordon L. Black, J. Albert Noonan, Locksbie Dennis, W. Gordon Silliker, Dr. A.S. Palmer, Robert H. Carruthers, Harold A. Jelley, James M. MacWilliams, William C. Turner, Keith Matheson and Wm. G. Bernard. Robert H. Carruthers was appointed manager.

This was a big improvement for the players, skaters and the pub- lic. Coal stoves were in each of the dressing rooms, and benches were

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