The Dorset Ice Palace

Our outdoor rink has been a part of the Dorset community since the late 1920’s when the community maintained an ice surface near the village on Big Trading Bay.  Plowing it off using horses dragging a homemade plow made out of lumber. Lighting it up by running a line out to the cleared rink from a nearby business.  Then in the 1930’s the community worked with the township to build a rink on the property where it still is today.  When first built they made a seating area where they ran pipes from the wood stove under the benches to provide warmth for the spectators.  There has always been a winter carnival, and various hockey teams over the years.  Our winter carnival has evolved into the Dorset Snowball.  The Dorset Ice Palace is maintained by the Township of Algonquin Highlands for all of us to still enjoy.