Retirement Celebration planned for Thorburn Rink Manager
Wayne Buttle sits on a couch in his living room with a cup of tea in his hand.
He is relaxed and enjoying the company of his partner Evelyn and long-time friend Randy Palmer when talk turns to his recent retirement as rink manager of the Ivor MacDonald Memorial Arena in Thorburn.
A lot of people would have thrown up their hands out of frustration just hearing about the challenges he faced every day operating a rural arena. Needless to say, 44 years in a seasonal workplace that struggled to keep costs low and customer service high would be a daunting task for many people.
But Wayne’s pride in the arena and his passion for community gave him the strength to push on rather than walking away.
“I think no matter what it is, it’s always a challenge,” he said. “You must put everything you have into it. It’s not just a job, it’s part of you.”
In honour of Wayne’s accomplishments and retirement, the District 13 Recreation and Planning Commission a celebration will be held Saturday, April 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Arena Annex. Food and refreshments will be served, and everyone is welcome.
Wayne speaks about the arena as if it is an old friend that gave him as much as he gave it. It is a place that gave his children and many others a place to skate, play hockey, ringette and figure skate. A place where the community gathered for fun times such as dances and fundraisers. A place that kept him active, fit and in touch with youth who grew up using the arena and now return with their own families.
“When you look at the kids, we have been fortunate,” he said. “For the number of years, we have been there, the damage done by the kids has been nothing. I never really ran into a bad kid. My whole thing was the kids.”
In fact, it was because of children that Wayne started talking to others in 1972 about the need for an arena in Thorburn. He said families were large and minor hockey programs were full in other towns, so it was obvious that Thorburn needed a place to call its own.
Soon after, talks turned from building an outdoor arena to an indoor complex and from there the community support never wavered. The land for the arena was purchased for $500 and a loan was guaranteed by a local bank for $50,000 if 35 people signed a promissory note for $1000 each. Wayne said support was so great for the arena that more than 40 people signed.
Wayne said he is still amazed to this day by the generosity of others when it came to not only building the arena but maintaining it over the years. He said when work had to be done, people would show up to help or they would provide supplies at little or no cost. Fundraisers were held with great success and both the minor hockey and figure skating programs flourished.
“I had people coming to cut wood and guys would come in and lay floors. The last time we changed one of the dressing rooms and all of that was done by volunteers. All the guys who have gone through the system. They would say listen, Wayne, anytime you want something, call us.”
At different times in his 44 years, Wayne was also president of Thorburn Minor Hockey and the East Pictou Blades Figuring Skating Club. He also pushed the District 13 Recreation Commission to purchase an outdoor wood furnace for the arena that would lower its heating bills. The furnace must be loaded every day with wood, but Wayne loved doing it and it strengthened his bond with the kids and community by getting others involved in the chore.
His time as rink manager also allowed him to create long-lasting friendships with people who shared his passion for community. The room upstairs in the arena is named after long-time supporter Dr. Howard Locke would often join Wayne at the arena to watch figure skating, ringette, or hockey.
“Dr. Locke was always a great person, and he backed the rink in many ways,” he said.
As the stories continue in this Sherbrooke Road residence, Wayne has too many people in his life to thank for their volunteerism with the arena, but he will never forget their support.
He said it is rewarding to see young adults come to the arena now with their own families and instill in them the same sense of pride in the rink that he and others have for it.