Everything you need to know about outdoor skating

Dec. 2, 2020 8:00 a.m.
​Activate your inner skater this winter at a community centre rink

It’s time to sharpen your skates! Embrace the frost this year and get active with your family at any of the City’s five outdoor skating rinks, which are now open, weather permitting, until March. They are open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., with the exception of the rink at Father E. Bulfon Community Centre, which closes at 10:30 p.m.  
 
Outdoor rinks are located at the following community centres:
  • Chancellor Community Centre (350 Ansley Grove Rd.)
  • Dufferin Clark Community Centre (1441 Clark Ave. W.)
  • Father E. Bulfon Community Centre (8141 Martin Grove Rd.)
  • Garnet A. Williams Community Centre (501 Clark Ave. W.)
  • Vellore Village Community Centre (1 Villa Royale Ave.)

Vaughan indoor arenas remain open by permit only; however, the number of people on the ice at one time is limited to 10 with no spectators. Team sports are limited to training sessions only – no games and scrimmages. Decisions around facility openings continue to be guided by public health advice, provincial directives and Vaughan-specific data. For more information, visit vaughan.ca/skate. 

When using an outdoor rink, it’s important to follow these guidelines so everyone can enjoy a safe and fun skate:
  • Remember that City outdoor rinks are unsupervised and require everyone to practice physical distancing by keeping a safe distance of at least two metres (approximately six feet) from anyone who does not live in their home.
  • Wash and sanitize hands properly before and after use.
  • Note that outdoor changerooms and washrooms will remain closed – it is recommended that participants arrive dressed in skating attire, with the exception of wearing skates. Benches and picnic tables will be available for citizens to sit down to put on and remove their skates; however, they will not be sanitized.
  • Do not use the ice when signs indicate the ice surface is unsafe.
  • Skate in the same direction.
  • Wear CSA-approved helmets and protective equipment (e.g. hockey gloves) – while this is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended.
  • Wear skates at all times while on the ice, and wear skate guards when off the ice.
  • Do not share equipment, including skates, gloves, hockey sticks and personal water bottles.
  • Gather all your belongings before exiting the rink.
  • Do not litter, and place disposable personal protective equipment, such as gloves or masks, into the garbage bin when done with them.
  • Sneeze and cough into your sleeve or a tissue to prevent further transmission of germs, and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Do not visit parks and skating rinks if you are not feeling well.
  • Follow the City of Vaughan Safe Community Centres Policy. 
Boots, shoes, food, drinks, cellphones, electronic devices, animals, balls, chairs and strollers are not permitted on the ice – exceptions apply for sledges required to assist those with physical disabilities (the caregiver must wear skates). To ensure all skaters are safe, speed and figure skating, backward skating, horseplay and skating games, carrying children while on the ice, body contact and checking are all not allowed. Read the Skating Rink Guidelines for more safety information.
 
Making a skating rink at home
 
Interested in making a backyard skating rink on private property this winter? Follow these tips from the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association to make your do-it-yourself rink a success:
  • Ensure there is enough space to suit the needs of the rink, including width and depth.
  • Create a frame and lay a tarp within the frame on the ground – while a tarp is not required, it speeds up the freezing process.  
  • Ensure the ground is relatively level.
  • Build in layers – spray water and let it freeze, then repeat. The water should level out the surface. 
A few consecutive days below -8 C, overcast skies and no rain or snow are ideal for building an ice rink. To maintain your rink, keep it free from snow. Freezing rain and slush freeze differently and will result in an unpleasant skating surface. If this occurs, the rink can be smoothed out by scraping or flooding it with more water to level it out. Consider adding a layer of water each evening after use to smooth and level out the surface.
 
Those who feel unwell, and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19, should contact York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, including physical distancing tips and advice from Public Health officials, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.
 
To receive the City’s latest updates on COVID-19, check vaughan.ca/COVID19, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
 
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