Skates On, Winter On: Ottawa’s outdoor rinks help skaters warm up to winter
Ottawa winters can be harsh. The nation’s capital is known for its extreme cold weather, often biting at the ears and face of those willing to brave the frigid temperatures.
However, staying inside and hiding from the cold is not always the most fun either.
for many Ottawans, there’s a lot of joy to be found during the early months of the year, as long as they bundle up and, most importantly, lace up.
Of course, Ottawa is known for its world-famous Rideau Canal skateaway. Stretching from the Rideau Locks near Parliament Hill to the wide berths of Dow’s Lake, the 7.8 km outdoor skating rink is the largest in the world.
Perhaps a bit unsung are the capital’s many other skating rinks. Along with 270 outdoor natural ice rink sites, four refrigerated ice surfaces are tucked away in all corners of the city.
Located in Lansdowne Park, City Hall, the Canterbury Recreation Complex and Ben Franklin Place in Nepean, these rinks are all maintained by the city.
Some say these rinks offer a different touch.
“Of course, the Canal is very beautiful, but this is a bit quieter and a bit easier to manage with kids sometimes,” Rachel Vendette says.
Taking advantage of a sunny Monday afternoon, Vendette and her daughter decided to go for a skate at their nearby community outdoor rink, joining other families on the ice.
“It’s also nice because maybe people don’t always want to drive to Lansdowne or downtown to skate, so I’m very happy that there’s one close to us at home.”
Vendette doesn’t skate herself, but appreciates rinks like the one at Ben Franklin Place, where she gets to spend quality time with her daughter, who loves hitting the ice.
These municipal infrastructures have been important for allowing community members to gather and stay active during the winter season, but they wouldn’t be possible without community volunteers.
According to the city’s general manager of Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services, Dan Chenier, more than 700 community volunteers “help construct and maintain our outdoor community rinks through their commitment and tireless work.”
This includes creating and maintaining the ice surface, providing snow removal and at some locations, supervising the field house.
At some locations, including the Rink of Dreams at City Hall and Lansdowne Park’s Skating Court, rentals are available at $20 for 90 minutes and skate sharpening services are available for $10.
Rinks like Ben Franklin Place also have indoor changing huts, providing families with warm places to get changed.
More information about the city’s outdoor refrigerated skating rinks and their hours of operations can be found on the City of Ottawa website.