After years of inactivity, the Sharpening Shack at Rotary Place is back in business, thanks to local hockey enthusiast Joey Windsor.
Originally opened in 2010 by Neil Carpenter, the skate-sharpening shop has changed hands numerous times. However, in recent years, it remained mostly closed — something that frustrated Windsor.
“Seeing it closed all the time sucked,” he said. “When you go to an arena, you want there to be a place to get your skates sharpened.”
Determined to bring the service back, Windsor approached the anonymous owner of the shack and asked if he could take over operations. With the green light to proceed, he reopened the business during the last weekend of November.
Since reopening, Windsor has received an overwhelmingly positive response from local hockey players, figure skaters, and parents.
“I get a lot of people saying their kids have played hockey there for three years and they’ve never even seen it open,” Windsor said. “Other people didn’t even know that it was ever a thing.”
Word of mouth has spread quickly, and business has been picking up.
“It’s getting busier every weekend,” he said. “When people are in a pinch and need their skates done, it’s there.”
While sharpening skates is the primary service, Windsor has also found himself helping players with last-minute equipment needs.
“I don’t know how many helmets I’ve fixed for kids already,” he said. “Kids forget neck guards, they forget jocks, and I’ve been able to help all those people out.”
The shack also stocks essentials like wax, tape, laces, and other accessories to ensure players can get back on the ice quickly.
But it’s the location that is most important.
“It’s at the rink,” Windsor said. “Kids come off the ice with an issue, I fix it, and they go back on the ice. They can’t do that anywhere else.”
Windsor has been sharpening skates since he was 14 years old and has long been deeply involved in the hockey world.
When it comes to how often players should get their skates sharpened, he says it depends on ice time and the type of ice they skate on.
“Higher-calibre kids will come in every two weeks, older players and goalies will get them done two or three times a year, but if you’re playing hockey two or three times a week, you should get them done at least once a month,” he said.
He also advises players who have been skating on outdoor rinks to get their blades checked before returning to the arena.
“Ponds kill your skates, and when kids come to get their skates sharpened, I can feel if they’ve been on the pond," he said.
The Sharpening Shack is open Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m. A skate sharpening costs $10, with payment accepted in cash or via e-transfer.
“If I can get busier, I’ll definitely be there more,” Windsor said.