November 25, 2016
Mayor John Tory will help the City of Toronto begin opening its outdoor artificial ice rinks at 3 p.m. tomorrow with a skate at Otter Creek, 140 Cheritan Ave. Beginning tomorrow, weather permitting, 15 rinks will open, including featured locations such as the rink at Nathan Phillips Square, the covered rink and ice skating trail at Greenwood Park and the ice skating trail at Colonel Samuel Smith Park. The remaining 36 outdoor rinks are scheduled to open Saturday, December 3.
“The opening of our City-run ice rinks is the true kick-off for the winter season in Toronto,” said Mayor Tory. “Enjoying outdoor skating across the city is part of what makes winters in Toronto great. I urge residents across Toronto to lace up their skates this weekend and join in the fun."
The City's outdoor artificial ice rinks are compressor cooled, which makes it possible for them to operate in a range of weather conditions, however closures during the skating season are sometimes necessary due to unseasonably warm temperatures or following a heavy snowfall. For up-to-the-minute information about Toronto's outdoor artificial ice rinks, including a map of rink locations, schedules for each location, current ice conditions and closures, learn-to-skate programs and helmet/equipment requirements, visit
http://www.toronto.ca/skate or call 311.
"Winter may be cold, but it also presents a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Toronto has skating, skiing and hiking opportunities for all ages," said Councillor Pasternak (Ward 10 York Centre), Chair of the Community Development and Recreation Committee. "So let’s get some fresh air and exercise, and enjoy the winter season."
"Toronto is a vibrant city in the winter. I encourage everyone to get outdoors, get some exercise and enjoy our Canadian winter," said Michelle Holland (Ward 35 Scarborough Southwest), Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee.
Volunteers also build and maintain natural ice rinks in many neighbourhood parks across the city with support from Parks, Forestry and Recreation staff. These rinks require consistent sub-zero temperatures and, weather permitting, are typically open in January and February for drop-in skating. Information on natural ice rinks is also available online.
Designated media access:
Four rink locations across the city are designated for media to film or photograph long shots; close-up shots of participants are not allowed without permission:
• Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W. (near Bay Street) • Colonel Samuel Smith Park, 3145 Lake Shore Blvd. W. (near Kipling Avenue) • Joseph Bannon, 65 Mary Chapman Blvd. (near Weston Road/Sheppard Avenue West) • Kew Gardens, 2075 Queen St. E. (near Woodbine Avenue)
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit
http://www.toronto.ca/, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contact: Matthew Cutler, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, 416-560-8726, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
