In the heart of Spiritwood, Saskatchewan, an 88-year-old woman holds a unique set of keys and an even more unique title: the town's Zamboni matriarch. Joyce Willick, a fixture at the local arena for decades, continues to be the trusted back-up driver for the ice-resurfacing machine, a role she embraces with joy and a signature honk of the horn.
The Heartbeat of the Rink
For Joyce Willick, the Spiritwood and District Rec Centre is a second home. As the former chief custodian and now a part-time volunteer, her connection to the facility runs deep. On Monday, December 15, 2025, she was found at the arena, a place she knows intimately from preparing ice to cleaning every corner. "I'm here a lot," Willick admits, sitting in the concession area. "I come here to watch a lot, too, because I've seen these kids grow up in hockey."
Her love for the sport is a family affair. All seven of her children—six sons and one daughter—played hockey, as did her husband. She even played herself in high school and beyond. This lifelong passion fuels her ongoing commitment. "They call it work, but it's not. I enjoy it," she says, reflecting on watching a recent U7 tournament and recognizing grandmothers she once saw learn to skate.
A Trusted Backup and Community Legend
Glennalda Saam, the Town of Spiritwood's facilities manager, considers Willick an invaluable asset. "She's always my back-up when we need an extra Zamboni driver," Saam says. "She's on call. She has a cell phone. And she still has keys to the place. For her to be able to do that at age 88, that's pretty great." Willick serves as the reliable fourth driver behind the town's three main operators this winter.
Her stature in the community of roughly 1,000 residents is monumental. Bob Smolinski, who runs Marion's Burger Bar with his wife, offers the highest praise: "Joyce is up there with J.C. (Jesus Christ)." It's a testament to the reverence, admiration, and trust she has earned over many years of service.
The simple pleasure of the job hasn't faded. "I like honking the horn at the kids sitting in the players' box, waiting for me and watching me go around," Willick says with a characteristic chuckle.
Keys to the Town and a Lasting Legacy
Willick's connection to the rink is physically symbolized by the set of keys she still possesses—keys the town hasn't asked for her to return. "They don't ask for them," she laughs. "And I don't turn them in." Her personalized licence plate, "Joyce W," is often spotted in the arena parking lot.
A tour of the multi-purpose rec centre with Willick reveals its full scope: a hockey rink, a four-sheet curling rink, a six-lane bowling alley, and viewing levels used by everyone from sports fans to the local dance club. A display cabinet upstairs honors local hockey talent, including an autographed jersey from Spiritwood native and Team Canada player Jeni Creary.
Despite retiring officially at 65 at her children's urging, Willick has always found her way back. "The caretaker who had it then for a couple of years, she had enough. I got it back because nobody else wanted it," she explains. Even with the Christmas holidays approaching, she anticipates volunteering on Boxing Day, a tradition when many young players are home.
Joyce Willick's story is more than just about driving a Zamboni; it's about unwavering dedication, community spirit, and the simple joy found in maintaining the heart of a small Saskatchewan town. As long as she's able, she'll likely be there, keys in hand, ready to flood the ice and share a laugh with the next generation of hockey players.
