July 25, 20189. Western Head, Nova Scotia. The Emira Center.

Yesterday for the first time, we visited the Emira Center. The place is wonderful. It is clean and cool, which on a hot day brings pleaasure. The idea of building a new hockey arena was controversial, especially when they added a fitness center and a walking track. Despite the hostility, the arena was built and is super. In the center of the building is the hockey rink. The ice is kept in all summer, which keeps the place cool. Skating is open many days a week and hockey teams practice and skate through the summer. Big events are held in the arena too. The ice is covered with wood and chairs installed. A Hank Snow concert will be held this weekend. Around the top of the ice arena they put in a walking track, made of rubber so it is easy on the legs and joints. Walt and Mary walked there every day through the winter and have continued in the summer. The track is level and safe and cool. The whole place does not look like a hockey arena. It looks fancy and clean. Although the Center is five years old, yesterday was the first day that Ken and I went to walk their track. Katey drove us and walked with Ken while I just walked. Just over 4 loops equals one kilometer. I can walk well when the ground is level and am not far from a wall. Ken is the same. He also did his exercises at the center. Today we went again. We were both pleased. Dave and Irene go and work out in the afternoons in the fitness center while we go in the morning. They are also pleased with the cleanliness and their modern machines. As Dave said, "The place does not look or feel at all like a hockey arena". Liverpool is fortunate to have this lovely facility. I only hope it stays solvent.