Residents in Calmar headed to the ice for a free community skate on March 30, 2026, hosted by officers from the Leduc RCMP. The event took place at the Mike Karbonik Arena at 5019 47 Street from 1:30 to 3:30 PM.
The skate was open to community members of all ages, and no advance registration was required. Participants were simply asked to bring their own skates to the rink, which serves as a central recreational hub for the town of approximately 2,183 residents. The timing of the event marked the traditional end of the hockey season and coincided with spring break.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by local police to connect with the public outside of emergency calls. Constable Stephen Curtiss of the Leduc RCMP noted that such events provide an opportunity to demonstrate that first responder agencies work to make the community a better place to live. These efforts include other outreach programs such as literacy initiatives and recent town hall meetings held to discuss policing priorities.
Support for these types of local programs comes from the RCMP Foundation. According to Kevin Lawton, the executive director of the foundation, these activities help build trust and familiarity, reinforcing the role of officers as allies and supporters within the community.
The Mike Karbonik Arena, named after the late Mike A. Karbonik, regularly hosts programs for groups including the West 39 Minor Hockey association, the Calmar Skating Club, and various local leagues. The facility’s ice programming traditionally concludes at the end of March.
