Man behind school rink restoration named Co-op Community Champion

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — November’s Co-op Community Champion coordinated a group of volunteers to restore the outdoor hockey rink at C.M. Finch Elementary School.

Scott Emslie was born and raised in Dawson Creek, and after spending several years coaching hockey closer to Prince George, has lived in the Fort St. John area for the last 15 years.

A self-described “big hockey guy” who spent his youth battling against players from Fort St. John on the ice, the rink at C.M. Finch isn’t the only one he’s helped restore in the area.

“I lived out in Baldonnel there for the last seven years,” he said, “so I went by that rink and actually did a bunch of work on that rink for the last three or four years, to just get it going.”

When Emslie moved into Fort St. John proper last year, he saw the state of the construction of the C.M. Finch rink and tried to organize a group of volunteers to help get it back into playing shape.

While those plans didn’t work out at the time, this year, he received a significant amount of support from residents.

Before the group of volunteers he had collected was able to start working, however, they needed the approval of School District 60, since the rink is on its property.

“They were obviously adamant that we follow the protocol for due diligence and insurance purposes,” Emslie said. “They were very supportive, obviously, they just wanted to make sure everything was in order insurance-wise. They showed up on site there and got us to sign some waivers.”

Emslie works as a safety manager for a local construction company, so he was able to ensure work on the rink was carried out safely. Several local businesses, including Tom’s Construction and Tourmaline Oil, also donated supplies for the project.

He says the amount of support the initiative received was overwhelming. Going forward, he intends to flood the rink once it gets cold enough and organize a group of volunteers to help maintain the ice.

“A lot of people have put their hand forward to help us out with that, too, so we’ll maintain it throughout the winter.”

Emslie said he deeply appreciates the community’s support.

“I can’t wait to get everybody out playing on it,” he said, adding that he’s overwhelmed and grateful.

The Co-op Community Champion program recognizes individuals in Fort St. John who make meaningful contributions to their community.

“Where most would see a lost cause in repairing the rink, he could see the potential and that asking for the community’s help was a way to make it happen and generate some community pride,” Emslie’s nomination reads. “He helped organize a team to give something back to the community – kids and adults alike.”

Congratulations to Emslie, November’s Co-op Community Champion. Each month, the winner is featured on Energeticcity.ca and receives up to $100 in vouchers from the Co-op.

Anyone looking to nominate a community-minded person who deserves recognition can do so here.