Sunday January 25, 2009
On a frosty Sunday afternoon against strong westerly winds, the Zamboni made a historic pass on the trail section between Omand’s Creek and Assiniboine Park.

Area residents gathered throwing flowers, and spraying champagne as the zamboni shaved the lumpy sections smooth for skaters. Bourkevale Community Club members marveled at the zamboni operator’s skill and the ice-scrapping efficiency of the machine. 

Upon arrival at Assiniboine Park, Zamboni operator Michael Jordan, dismounted from the pilot seat, set foot on the smooth, icy surface and exclaimed:” One small step for Winnipeg…one giant leap for the River Trail.”  

  When asked if along the journey he was ever scared, Michael Jordan answered:”I didn’t have time to be scared or anything, just very cccold. We have a job to do, a mission to accomplish and we’ve been training to do it. I never doubted we would get here.”

 ~Dave Pancoe, River Trail Operations Manager