The search for Manitoba's best backyard rink strikes gold

Just a fewweeks ago, we sent out a challenge to seek outthe coolest backyard rinks in Manitoba. We thought we'd see a few entries trickle in, but instead, you have overwhelmed us with photos of your homemade masterpieces. We've enjoyedseeing yourpassion in embracingthegreat outdoors in the frostiest of climes.

Without further ado, theCBC Manitoba Backyard Face-off winner is...

Dave and Leah Desrochers

St. Franois Xavier, Man.

Nicknamed Casa Del Dez, this backyard is truly one-of-a-kind. Besides the large ice rink, it features 100 feet of ice paths, a heated shop, a fire pit, ziplines (yes, ziplines!) and a home-built wood-fired pizza oven. That's some winter love right there.

"I originally started all of this to teach my first daughter to skate and make it as convenient as possible to get her out there. And then it turned into a passion!"Dave Desrochers

Tune to CBC Winnipeg News at 6 to seeJohn Sauderreport LIVEfrom this winning rink onTuesday, Feb. 18.

We had so many great entries sent in we couldn't not share them...

Andy Mead

Oakbank, Man.

Paul and Myrna Glawson

Birds Hill, Man.

"With the efforts of family and some hockey team mates we created an (almost) full-size rink with full boards. Our rink comes equipped with flood lights and a Zamboni."Myrna Glawson

Kristy

River Heights, Winnipeg

"Because it's in our front yard, we get lots of interested spectators walking by and showing their appreciation, telling us stories of their rinks when they were kids, etc. We hope to continue the tradition annually and improve it every time."

Aaron Cyr

St. Clements Church Park, Selkirk

"Here is a 'backyard' rink that I made this winter. It is a natural rink that formed for the first time ever this year. When the river rose in the fall, it flooded an area that has never been filled with water for a freeze up. With help from friends I've been flooding it to maintain it."

Brett Luschinski

Micheline Viallet

"I don't think it's the biggest or the best rink, it's just a mom's first attempt and it's barely big enough for a game of two on two, but it was built with a lot of love."

Curtis Oleschuk

"I am quite positive that others will have a more elaborate set up for a rink.However, we took the environmental impact into consideration and built the rink using a Canadian Tire tarp and some scrap board I had.

"We also decided to use exclusively Red River water for our rink.We lost count of the number of buckets, but I think we were close to 300 buckets each carried up our river bank by my wife or me.We had a lot of fun doing it and our three kids helped out in whatever way they could."

Douglas Hemmerling

River Heights, Winnipeg

"Three front yards wide and with the cooperation of three neighbours.Nine kids in total between three households take advantage of pleasure skating and ice hockey.From New Year's Eve curling parties to Boxing Day face-offs this is the place to be."

Jon Kost

Fort Garry, Winnipeg

"This is my 10th year of building a rink with each year adding something new! My kids are now 15 and 13 and it is not an option to not build a rink."

Andrew Fast

Westwood, Winnipeg

"This was our first year building a backyard rink.I grew up outside of the city and always had a pond to play hockey on with my brothers and friends."

Eric Reder

Seine River, Winnipeg

"Not only do we have regulation-sized curling rings with milk jug curling rocks but we have hockey nets out on the main rink as well as nets in the forest to skate to and shoot on. The trails have names and side paths under log bridges and uphill and downhill slopes. It is a skating experience most people can never imagine."

Scott White

Derek and Krystine Pollock

Kiel Wilgosh

Beausejour, Man.

Lori Karos

Oakbank, Man.

"It is a 28 x 56 rink with orange pool noodles and lights for night skating."

Ken Henry

Morgan Secord

La Salle, Man.

"My husband and boys have built a wonderful rink. They are on it every day! Countless hours and a ton of blood, sweat and tears have gone into this rink. The kids from all over the neighbourhood come and skate!"

Paul Simpson

Kim

Gimli, Man.

"Lake Winnipeg in Gimli makes a perfect backyard rink! This year the piles of broken shards of ice make a beautiful backdrop."

Brigitte Goertzen

"I know it's too late to enter but this is my husband's effort this year!"

A HUGE thank you to all the rink masters whosubmitted and/or tagged photos in our first Backyard Face-off! We've been astounded by the level of effort and ambition you put into creating your frozen playgrounds.

Skate on!

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