Outdoor rinks hoping to open just in time for Christmas: city

Families enjoying a night of skating at City Hall in an undated photo. (Courtesy: Winter City Edmonton)

With the city now seeing a blanket, albeit a thin blanket, of snow, Edmontonians may be looking to hit the ice for some wintery activities.

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But above average temperatures have been unfavourable for ice-making, said the city, which has stalled the opening of its outdoor rinks.

However, with temperatures appearing to cool down in the coming days, the city is hoping to have outdoor rinks open just in time for Christmas.

“City crews have been flooding the ice at Rundle Park Iceway, the Victoria Oval and Iceway and Laurier Park Oval for the past week,” said an email from the city on Monday. “We anticipate opening ice within the next three weeks if overnight temperatures consistently remain below freezing.”

The city is reminding Edmontonians that not all ice is safe for skating and to keep loved ones and pets off of stormwater ponds, creeks and the river.

While many may miss skating on the frozen pond at Hawrelak Park, the city does not yet have a confirmed opening date.

Recently-opened O’day-min Park in downtown Edmonton does have the capacity to house an outdoor skating space atop its sport court, but the city did not confirm if it will be used for skating this year.

“The hard surface sport court area in O-day’min Park was designed with the potential to accommodate a small snow bank rink. The city is exploring options for future use,” said the city in an email.

Ice conditions and the status of outdoor rinks can be found here.