Dozens of natural ice rinks on track to open once again for the winter in Mississauga

The weather has been unseasonably mild this week, but it won’t be long before dozens of natural ice rinks pop up for winter use in neighbourhood parks across Mississauga. 

Mississauga officials are putting out the call once again for volunteers to donate their time to help maintain the rinks so residents can participate in a couple of Canada’s favourite pastimes — ice skating or a pickup hockey game on the ice surfaces.

Those who want to volunteer must apply by Nov. 15.

Whether it’s a leisurely skate at Celebration Square in the city’s downtown core or a pickup game of shinny hockey at any one of the dozens of natural ice rinks in neighbourhood parks, the ice surfaces are usually ready for skaters by sometime in December, when the weather is cold enough.

When it opens, the ice surface at Celebration Square will be available for public use daily from morning until late at night, weather permitting, until next March.

While there is no charge to skate, ice skate rentals and sharpening services are available on site at a cost.

Volunteers donate their time to maintain the many natural outdoor rinks and help the City of Mississauga provide the amenities where conditions allow. 

The city provides a heated rink hut and installs rink boards in parks that have a suitable level area as well as electricity and water. Volunteer ice makers help make and maintain the natural ice surface. 

Mississauga operates two artificial outdoor rinks, Celebration Square and Woodhurst Heights Park (3475 Ash Row Cr.), and more than 30 natural ice rinks. There is no charge for people to skate on the outdoor rinks.

The Celebration Square rink can accommodate a maximum of 60 skaters on the rink at one time. Each skating session is 45 minutes.  

City officials remind people to bring their own skates to the many natural outdoor rinks as no skate rentals are available at those locations.

For more information, call the city’s info line at 311 or visit the City of Mississauga website.