Baudette Bay Hockey Classic just around the corner

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With just under three weeks before two high school hockey teams, the Lake of the Woods Bears and the St. Paul Johnson Governors, face off during the Baudette Bay Hockey Classic, preparation for the game on January 20th is in full swing. Just before Christmas many locals witnessed the erection of the rink on the Baudette Bay. Lead by the volunteer efforts of Keith Block of Lake Area Construction, a team of nearly a dozen other volunteers took on the task of placing the boards on the Bay.
“It went surprisingly smooth,” said Block as he thanked the many people that helped on Saturday and Sunday. “We started out with a number of four-wheelers pulling trailers to Peace Park topped with the rink boards that have been stored at the fairgrounds since this fall.” It took less than 8 full loads to bring the boards to the Bay and construction began immediately. The city of Baudette purchased the boards for the game with intentions of putting the outdoor rink up permanently at Timbermill Park after this winter. Once the boards were unloaded the team of volunteers began placing the boards in proper position.
The rink is up now, however, Block reminds skaters to be cautious if they plan on going down to Baudette Bay to use them. “The entire area is roped off with caution tape and there are barricades up around the open water by the drainage pipe. The boards are secured to each other, and partially froze into the ice. Those that want to use the rink, should do so only for skating, don’t plan on playing hockey or doing much rough-housing right now. Within the next week we plan on getting down there to secure the boards firmly to the ice.” This will be no small task as the plan is to auger in 4x4 posts, freeze them into the Bay and attach the boards to the posts securely. This job should be complete by the end of this week with the help of the City of Baudette and more volunteers. Those wishing to help should be watching and listening for further calls for help.