Ranch Ehrlo Sport Venture hosts community skate with the Pats

Ranch Ehrlo sport venture hosts a community skate along with the Regina Pats at the Wascana Park skating rink. (Hallee Mandryk/CTV News)

The Regina Pats hit the ice this weekend in a different venue than usual as the Wascana Rink hosted both the team and some happy families for a group skate, thanks to Ranch Ehrlo Sport Venture.

Program Manager Gloria Patrick spoke to CTV News about importance of the community skate.

“Ranch Ehrlo Sport venture has incredible partnerships with the community and have such a strong, beautiful relationship with the Regina Pats. So we’ve invited them out here this afternoon to skate with the community,” she said.

Sunday’s event was in recognition of the 20th anniversary of Jumpstart, which is a program that helps provide barrier free sport opportunities for kids, which often works in partnership with Ranch Ehrlo Sport Venture.

“We have over 2,000 people participating in our programs at Sport Ventures throughout the year. So it’s nice to be able to reach even beyond that so that we can engage folks and let them know who we are and what we’re able to provide for services and supports,” Patrick said.

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The organization typically hosts a skating event in the park during FROST Festival, but due to the extreme cold, the event was called off.

But Regina’s cold snap ended just in time for the event to go ahead on Sunday afternoon.

It represented an opportunity for families to enjoy the weather, and for the Pats to connect with their community.

“We’re so excited to be out on this beautiful afternoon where we can enjoy being outside. With the polar vortex here the last few weeks, we’ve really had to kind of modify and limit our time outside,” Patrick said.

“So it’s been so nice to be able to have an opportunity here this afternoon to be outside with each other, to take in some fresh air and to get out on the ice and really take advantage of this incredible environment.”