THUNDER BAY - After weeks of frigid temperatures and extreme cold warnings, kids and adults alike were eager to get out of the house and enjoy some fresh air during a much needed reprieve from the cold.
“It was a long couple of weeks housebound, so we were anxious to get the kids out,” said Vanessa Cassie.
Cassie, along with her three kids, strapped on the skates and took to the rink at Prince Arthur’s Landing on Sunday to enjoy temperatures as high as -6C. Dozens of people, young and old, were out on the ice enjoying the weather after temperatures only two days ago dipped below -30C.
“We went outside a few times, but the kids were starting to get a little anxious to spend some time outside,” Cassie said. “It’s great. Everyone was chomping at the bit to get skating and get moving outside and get some fresh air.”
For Jennifer Love and her four-year-old son, Oscar, who loves hockey, the long stretch of cold weather was definitely a challenge.
“He is in love with hockey, and he’s been wanting to go out on the ice,” Love said. “And it’s finally a nice day, so we took advantage of it.
The freezing temperatures that brought extreme cold warnings began in late December and persisted well into the new year.
“He tried to brave the cold,” Love said. “He got dressed for about a two minute play outside, but this is much nicer. He’s already been out for an hour and a half. He’s an outdoor kid.”
“And I have to stay outside with him, so it’s nice when it’s somewhat warmer than freezing in the forty below temperatures,” Love added.
The city of Thunder Bay was also hosting its weekly Winter Fundays at the Marina. Sunday included a scavenger hunt organized by the Willow Springs Creative Centre.
“It’s a good way to kick off the start of the end of the cold snap,” said Ash Young, cultural development and event supervisor for the city of Thunder Bay. “I think there will be a lot of people out here, whether it’s coming for the crafts, or coming out to the splash pad or Willow Springs. I think it will be a really good day.”
Winter Fundays runs every Sunday at the Marina from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. until Mar. 11. This year will include snowshoeing, dogsledding, Thunderwolves Day, bannock over the fire, and Winter Science with Science North.
“We had about a couple thousand out last year,” Young said. “Last year was a strange one because we had some bad weather. We missed the dogsledding because it was either raining or too warm.”
So far this year has seen the opposite end of the winter spectrum, but Young said unless temperatures drop below -25C, Winter Fundays will go ahead.
Luckily temperatures are expected to remain relatively mild for the next few days, with no extended cold snaps forecasted for at least the next 14 days. For a complete list of events, visit the Winter Fundays website.
