Back to SearchWith winter upon us, it's that time of year when many Kitchener residents are getting ready to lace up their skates to enjoy one of Canada’s most popular pastimes. Locally, people can enjoy free skating at outdoor community rinks and find public skate times and pick-up game opportunities at the Aud and other arenas. This year, two new skating locations will also be available, as synthetic ice surfaces are being installed at 44 Gaukel St. and the Kitchener Market.
“Over the years, I have heard our residents share fond memories of skating with friends and family in Downtown Kitchener not only over the holiday season but throughout the year as well, and I hope residents will get out and enjoy these new rinks in the heart of our City,” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “I’m especially excited that these new synthetic ice surfaces on Gaukel Street and at the Market will be able to be used year-round and that we’ll be able to take them to spaces throughout the City where we wouldn’t traditionally have been able to put ice rinks easily.”
The Gaukel Street skating surface is the bigger of the two, measuring 80 feet x 40 feet, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, beginning on Friday, Dec. 10. It will be maintained by city staff and free to use through a partnership with Kitchener Utilities.
“We’re happy to be able to give back to the community this holiday season and hope that community members will lace up their skates and spend some quality time with friends and family,” said Greg St. Louis, Director, Gas and Water Utilities, Kitchener Utilities.
The skating surface at the Kitchener Market will also open on Friday and is free to use during Market hours, with a plan to allow for after-hour rental opportunities. Residents are invited to check it out during the upcoming Winter Artisan Markets taking place on December 11, 12, 18, and 19.
The City’s outdoor community ice rinks are expected to open in the coming weeks, as temperatures allow. These rinks are dependent on weather and are maintained entirely by community volunteers. Without the support of hundreds of community volunteers, community outdoor rinks would not be able to run each season. If you are interested in volunteering to support an outdoor rink in your neighbourhood, please apply online, by email or call 226-751-6403 for more information.
The Aud and community arenas also have indoor public skate times available. More information can be found at www.kitchener.ca/skating.
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For more information:
Shawn Falcao
Manager, Corporate Communications
shawn.falcao@kitchener.ca
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