Community Outdoor Ice Rinks

2024 / 2025 applications are now closed

Enjoy skating on community outdoor rinks located at various parks within the City of St. Catharines. These ice rinks are built, maintained and operated by volunteer community groups. Outdoor ice rinks are open to all members of the City to enjoy.

Every community outdoor ice rink is operated by volunteer community groups and are unique in size, location and surrounding park amenities. As each community outdoor ice rink is unique, usage is site specific for each outdoor ice rink and for further details regarding the activities and usage permitted, please contact the volunteer community groups operating the outdoor ice rink listed below or please send us an email.

Apply to Volunteer to Build a Rink 

Volunteer groups are permitted to apply to use any park they wish, provided it offers a reasonably flat surface, sufficient lighting, access for emergency vehicles and adequate parking. Volunteer groups applying should be prepared to build, operate and maintain the outdoor ice rinks.

Volunteer groups do not have to be incorporated charities or not-for-profit groups to apply, but they must allow all community members free and equal access to outdoor ice rinks. Volunteer groups are responsible for acquiring the materials needed to build, operate and maintain the ice rink, including boards, tarps, shovels, scrapers and water, and must be prepared to store all equipment.

In addition to the park space for the outdoor rink, the City will provide signage, and training sessions for volunteers on how to build outdoor ice rinks and how to complete reporting requirements. The City will support up to six rink locations and offers grants of up to $1,000 per rink to help cover costs.

The community outdoor ice rink season will run from Dec. 1 to March 31.

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2024 / 2025 Outdoor Ice Rink Locations

• Walker's Creek Park
• Bogart Street Park

The outdoor ice rinks are available based on the weather and may change frequently. Please refer to the open and closed signage posted by the volunteer groups at the rinks for operating hours. More information may be found via volunteer group social media channels.

How do I start an outdoor ice rink?

If you're interested in starting an outdoor ice rink in the City, you can apply online when applications open. Please ensure you complete the application with a total of five volunteers and their contact information. You must define a Principal Volunteer Contact.

Successful applicants will be notified two weeks after the application period ends.

If you have any questions about the application process, please send us an email.

Ice rink location and size requirements

Outdoor ice rink locations must be on City property and are selected based on the following criteria:

• Reasonably flat surface
• Sufficient lighting
• Access for emergency vehicles
• Adequate parking
• One outdoor ice rink per ward

Please note, each outdoor ice rink location is allowed one rectangular boarded rink.

Volunteer group responsibilities

Volunteer groups who apply to build, operate and maintain an outdoor ice rink in the City must:

• Allow all community members free and equal access to use the outdoor ice rinks
• Acquire and storing equipment and materials (including boards, tarps, shovels and water)
• Complete and submit regular reports documented by the Principal Volunteer Contact
• Report and record all incidents, accidents or medical injuries that occur at the outdoor ice rinks, including incidents with participants, volunteers and property damage
• Keep the park and outdoor ice rinks clean and safe (e.g., pick up garbage and any hazards to reduce the risk of injury)
• Attend a mandatory volunteer orientation session
• Apply for a City permit (please note permit fees will be waived)

Volunteer groups are also responsible for providing their own water source for the outdoor ice rink. The City will grant up to $1,000 per rink to help cover costs.

City responsibilities

For all community outdoor ice rinks, the City will be responsible for:

• Providing signage
• Facilitating mandatory training sessions to review how to build an outdoor ice rink and how to complete the reporting requirements mandated by the City

Frequently asked questions

View our frequently asked questions for starting a community outdoor ice rink.