The Beauty of Jackson Rink

By Cassie Goundrey ’24

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​Jackson Rink: the beloved barn that is home to our five hockey teams and so much more. As a member of one of these hockey teams, I spend a significant amount of time in Jackson Rink during the winter season; however, I was there just as frequently in the fall because it’s also home to our field hockey locker room. So, I have logged many hours in the rink over my four years at Westy, and I’m not alone in my love for this space: Lucy Wainwright ’25 proudly boasts that “Jackson Rink is the prettiest barn in all of New England.” So, what is it that makes Jackson Rink so unique?

The beauty of “The Jack” lies in the charm of the wood beams arching over the ice. There’s something about the rustic appeal of the raw wood that gives The Jack character; perhaps there’s a bit of grit to it. For me, my favorite part about Jackson Rink is the way the sun shines through the large windows and reflects on the ice during an early afternoon practice. There’s a tranquility to the natural light; some might even say grace. There’s also a familiar smell that’s a mix of fresh-cut ice and towering wood that welcomes you when you enter; however, the hallway to the locker rooms frequently does not have as pleasant a smell; all I will say is that it’s a smell better off not described.
 
Some might be surprised to learn that these quintessential architectural elements that make The Jack are actually only additions. That’s right, Jackson Rink used to be an outdoor rink in its earlier days. This might explain why it’s a bit of a tight squeeze walking by the bleachers. So the fun phrase “Pack The Jack” is both a metaphor for coming down to support the hockey teams and a reality. Thus, the “Packing of The Jack” can show just how close-knit our school community can be.
 
Although The Jack’s architecture is unique among its more modern peers, this is not the only aspect that draws so many people to it. However cliché it might sound, Jackson Rink is special because of the memories many Martlets have made and will carry with them for the rest of their lives: it’s the beauty in the big games and loud crowds, the late-night practices, and the tomfoolery in the locker rooms that makes it a place where people always return.