Toronto opens outdoor ice rinks today for winter season
Starting today, skaters can enjoy some spins on public outdoor ice rinks in Toronto.
The city kicked off its Welcome T.O. Winter program today and will be opening 52 outdoor ice rinks across the city throughout the next two weeks.
Thirty-eight ice rinks will open today and operate until March 19, 2023, and 14 more rinks will open on Dec. 3 and operate until Feb. 26, 2023.
The skating rinks at Dufferin Grove Park and Ledbury Park will open once capital construction work is complete.
Outdoor rinks will operate from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Skaters are encouraged to check the status of ice rinks before heading out on the city’s website.
In addition, natural ice rinks will open in January 2023, weather permitting.
“We want people to be able to enjoy our parks and other outdoor spaces as much as possible year round. This year, there are many exciting winter activities residents can enjoy including skate trails, toboggan hills, outdoor rinks and much more,” Mayor John Tory said in a statement on Thursday.
As part of this year’s Welcome T.O. Winter program, the city is also introducing a ringette pilot program at six locations.
“Participants six years old and older can drop in and try an exciting sport rapidly gaining popularity. Ringette is a non-contact sport played on an ice rink with a ringette ring and ringette stick,” the city said in a Nov. 25 news release.
Pre-enrollment is not required for the activity and participants will be able to borrow equipment from select locations beginning in early December.
This year, the city is also offering 29 locations for women’s shinny with dedicated time slots.
More information on skating and ice programming can be found on the city’s website.
To help residents learn to skate, the city has also launched a new mobile Skate Lending Library this year.
In partnership with Desjardins Group, the library will provide:
- 150 skate aids, including two accessible skate aids
- 60 pairs of skates and 60 helmets added to the city’s skate lending library
- A dedicated, customized van that will travel to different locations
The lending library is free and no reservations are required.
Along with skating rinks, many of the city’s park amenities will remain open throughout the winter season, including more than 1,500 parks, 28 toboggan hills, 54 artificial outdoor ice rinks and skate trails and skiing and snowboarding at Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre.
The 56th Cavalcade of Lights also kicks off today at Nathan Phillips Square until Jan. 7, 2023. Family-friendly special programming will begin today at 3 p.m. and run until 11 p.m., and a tree and lighting ceremony will happen at 8:30 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.