by Titash Choudhury
This month, we are featuring Chris and the KGCA Ice Doggs Outdoor Rink Crew for Humans of Killarney.
The Ice Doggs came into being in the fall of 2023 when Chris, a proud Killarney resident for nearly 10 years, noticed that the outdoor rink wasn’t up and running. After a few emails, Chris found himself, along with a few other volunteers, huddled in the KGCA community centre’s basement around a huge firehose, learning the fine art of rink flooding from their rink lead Gerald Proctor, who had been helping maintain the Killarney rink for years and was looking for a new crew to support him. Fast forward to today, Chris now plays the role of the team’s unofficial admin lead and overall rink crew organizer for this enthusiastic group of community dads. In true neighbourhood fashion, they call themselves the Ice Doggs, a name coined by Todd Blevins, an advertising creative who lives in the community and is one of the senior ice makers.
Chris holds titles such as Chief Administrative Officer, Head of HR, Director of Infrastructure, and Ice Maker.
Ice Doggs Logo
Todd is the Director of Maintenance, and Gerald, now reinvigorated with a full team behind him, continues as Head Ice Maker and Mentor. Other crew members include Kevin Elliot, a Calgary-based engineer and the team’s Director of Engineering, and Evan Girardo, a local contractor and entrepreneur, who serves as Junior Ice Maker and Director of Future Planning. The titles are playful, but the effort is serious. The Ice Doggs are committed to keeping the Killarney Glengarry outdoor rink fun, functional, and full of community spirit.
Chris will tell us that being part of the Ice Doggs is one of the best parts of living in Killarney. But his story of community involvement started long before the rink. When he and his wife were house hunting, it wasn’t just about finding a house. They wanted a neighbourhood that felt like home, with quiet streets, parks, friendly neighbours, and places their kids could walk to. Killarney reminded Chris of where he grew up. He is originally from Brentwood, a northwest Calgary neighbourhood known for its big yards, bungalows, and sense of community. Killarney felt different at first, with its higher density and tighter blocks, but what stood out was the number of people around.
Chris and Fam
More people per square block meant more chances to bump into someone, more life just outside the door. He jokes that just a couple of weeks after moving in, his wife nearly filed a missing persons report, he had wandered into the house next door to meet the neighbours and lost track of time. That moment kicked off what would become a deep and ongoing connection with his new community. Chris’s volunteering journey truly began when his daughter attended Discovery Preschool. Like many parents, he started by helping at events and lending a hand where he could. During a parent meeting, various roles needed to be promptly assigned. “They said nobody leaves until we fill the board,” he laughs. He ended up walking home that night as the new board chair, despite never having done it before. Chris says that it was not an easy job. “When a teacher calls in sick at six in the morning, twenty families are counting on you to keep the school open,” Chris says. “There were days it felt like the most stressful full-time job I’d ever had.” But he showed up. He learned. Through this experience, he realised the profound effects volunteering can have on both the community and individual growth.
“The preschool teachers and board were counting on me. They moved forward in their careers, and I grew, too. It changed how I think about leadership, childhood, and what it means to be part of something bigger.”
Chris credits his parents for that mindset. His dad volunteered at their community rink and around the neighbourhood. His mom was part of the Brentwood Community Association and volunteered during the 1988 Winter Olympics. “They never just sat back and hoped things would happen,” he says. “They helped make things happen.”
That spirit carried with him. For instance, on one occasion, when Chris became dissatisfied with the gravel alley behind his residence, he organized the neighbourhood and spearheaded the initiative to have it paved. “It was a great way to meet people,” he says. “And now the kids can ride bikes, neighbours can play basketball, and the block feels more connected.” Last winter, when Chris realized the community rink might not happen due to a lack of volunteers, he stepped in again. The Ice Doggs united and saved the rink. “Most nights, it’s two to four of us out there around 9:00 pm, after the kids are in bed, clearing snow, flooding the rink, and swapping stories,” Chris says. “You get off the couch at minus 20 because your buddies are already out there, laughing and planning. It inspires you.”
The crew works hard but keeps it light. When Todd joked that the shovel rack Chris built looked like a guillotine, they named it Marie Antoinette. Their WhatsApp chat is mostly ice strategy and steady jokes. “That stuff sticks with you,” Chris says. What is his advice to future volunteers? “Show up and commit. People are counting on you. Do not let fear or apprehension hinder you. Many hands make light work, and you will get more out of it than you expect.” This year, the team added railings and rubber mats so people can walk safely on the skates. Chris proudly points to the railing. “I made that, and people are using it. That is so rewarding.”
The Ice Doggs have numerous concepts, but Chris emphasizes that it is not a matter of ownership. The rink belongs to the whole community, and its future depends on everyone pitching in. He hopes that as KGCA continues to grow and thrive, so will support for the rink and other local initiatives.
Chris’s “why” is simple: his kids. “They know the rink did not just appear. When it took time, effort, and care.” They say, “Daddy built this.” When asked about his preferred legacy, Chris responds confidently: “As an exceptional father.” For him, the responsibilities of parenting extend beyond the confines of one’s home. It spreads into the streets, parks, and rinks, where community interaction occurs through each layer of ice.
Rink
If you see Chris or any of the Ice Doggs at the rink next winter or walking through Killarney Park, say hello. Chances are, they are already thinking about the next way to make the neighbourhood even better.
Thank you for taking the time to read our new series, Humans of Killarney. Share your story, your neighbour’s story, or the story of inspiring community members with Humans of Killarney. Contact Titash Choudhury at [email protected] to nominate someone for Humans of Killarney.
As the KGCA celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, we’re excited to deepen our commitment to the community by introducing new events, programming, and initiatives designed to connect us all.
Stay tuned for next month’s issue!
Click here to the Killarney-Glengarry Community News home page for the latest Killarney-Glengarry community updates.
