The idea for a local ice-skating rink was raised in a conversation In the Staveley store between Eddie Totty and Ted Burgess Snr, one very cold frosty morning in 1949. A meeting was held and Sydney Bufton volunteered to take temperature readings at different sites over the next two years to determine the best site for a ring. The site chosen just happened to also be an attractive bush setting.

The capital raised from selling shares was used to form the first rink and erect a pavilion. A small shed was moved onto the site to be used as a ticket office. A second lower rink was added after a year.

One winter in the late 1950s it was decided to obtain a steam boiler and place it near the river, heat the water and then pump it to the rinks and spray it over the ice to produce a perfect skating surface. This was done only once for a visiting performance “Ice Follies” group from Christchurch who entertain patrons one Sunday afternoon. The time and effort required to pump the hot water proved unsustainable.

In 1966 the New Zealand army agreed to build a swing bridge using locally supplied materials costing $934, and provided the company put on a small shout for the army boys afterwards. One soldier had his leg broken by rolling beer barrels on route to the rink. Army strengthened the bridge in 1978. Car parking is now more extensive and provided closer to the rink near the bridge.

In 1974 the company paid $400 for Reg Syme to build a Curling Rink nearby and this rink while owned by the whole society is managed by the Windwhistle Curling Club and it has been very popular.

The electricity for lighting and music was supplied initially by a Wisconsin petrol motor and later via diesel generator up until 1976 when mains power was supplied. Telephone services were also installed then. Floodlights were borrowed from the Springburn Rugby Club practice grounds. Music was supplied from gramophone records and the skater’s waltz and other waltz music was popular and very appropriate for skating.

A modern shelter at the curling rink was added in 1997 and honour of the late Reg Syme.

The rink enjoys a record breaking year attracting visitors from all over the South Island. It remains open for six weeks and generated a net profit of over $ 40,000.

Site work begins on the project. A massive undertaking by all involved.