The City of London’s three outdoor rinks are being iced up for public skating this winter season.
City staff are working to open outdoor rinks in Storybook Gardens and Victoria Park on Saturday, December 5, and the Rotary Rink at Covent Garden Market on Saturday, December 12, weather permitting.
“One of the hallmarks of the winter season in London is upon us, now that you and your family can skate at outdoor rinks across the city,” says Mayor Ed Holder. “I encourage residents to lace up and enjoy the outdoor rinks, but I also ask that everyone continues to follow all of the health precautions to ensure these are safe places for all to enjoy.”
The City is asking anyone who visits outdoor skating rinks to follow all precautions set out by the Province of Ontario and the Middlesex-London Health Unit to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including maintaining six feet of physical distance from others, applying alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you arrive and leave any rink, coughing or sneezing into your sleeve, and staying home if you feel unwell.
In keeping with physical distancing measures, if you arrive at a rink that is too busy or crowded, we ask that you wait until there is enough space to properly practice physical distancing or return at another time.
While washrooms will still be available at each outdoor rink, indoor facilities will not be open for changing and skate rentals will not be offered this year.
Signs will be posted at each of the outdoor rink locations indicating all health measures and precautions.
Victoria Park Free Ice Skating
Free outdoor ice skating at Victoria Park will be open daily from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., weather permitting, and closed daily from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. for ice resurfacing.
To check the status of Victoria Park’s outdoor rinks, please call 519-661-4529.
Storybook Gardens Skate Trail
Storybook Gardens’ 250-metre, 10,000 square foot outdoor winter skating trail winds through the beautiful park grounds, offering a unique skating experience in the city.
The skating trail is open Tuesday through Friday from 3:30 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., weather permitting.
This year, the City will be offering a standard admission fee of $3.00 per person.
Registration for the skate trail sessions is required. Registration and skating schedules will be available at Play Your Way online starting Saturday, November 28 at 10:00 a.m. Registration can be completed online or by calling 519-661-5575 up to seven days in advance of the session start date. In-person registration will be available at the City of London offices, second floor of 355 Wellington Street (Citi Plaza), Suite 248 starting Monday, November 30 between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Skating sessions will be limited to 85 skaters for each time slot to allow for physical distancing.
For information related to admission fees and time slots, extended and holiday hours, and skate aid and sledge availability, please visit Storybook Gardens’ website.
Rotary Rink at Covent Garden Market
Starting Saturday, December 12, free ice skating at the Rotary Rink at Covent Garden Market will be available:
- Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more outdoor public skating details, please visit london.ca/skating.