Rinks
SKATERS
Our community rinks are VOLUNTEER-POWERED. They are not maintained by the City.
If you would like to volunteer to help our rink operators flood and maintain the rinks, click here.
Note: Because of COVID-19 restrictions, we will not be operating trailers in the 2021-2022 season.
Please do your part as a user of the rinks by scraping the ice with the shovels provided when you are finished skating, if possible.
In the event of poor weather causing unsafe ice conditions, the rinks will remain closed at the discretion of our volunteer rink operators.
Please obey the signage and the announcements of rink closures on our Facebook Group (for BECA residents). Failure to do so may result in delays in opening the rink.
ODR RULES
In addition to the standard rink rules below, please adhere to COVID-19 protocols: remain at least 2 meters from users outside of your household, and wear a mask if this is not possible.
Until 23 January 2021, a Province-Wide Shutdown is in effect. See how this impacts the outdoor rinks in the City of Ottawa.
Outdoor Rink Program and the Province-Wide Shutdown
From: Seasonal Recreation Department, City of Ottawa
On Monday December 21st, the Government of Ontario announced a province-wide shutdown effective Saturday, December 26th. Additional public health measures include the closure of all indoor and outdoor sports and recreational facilities with limited exceptions until Saturday, January 23, 2021.
We have reviewed the operational impacts of this announcement on recreation services and can confirm that the outdoor rink program is permitted to proceed within the shutdown regulations. Details are available at https://files.ontario.ca/moh-provincewide-shutdown-en-2020-12-22.pdf.
Although outdoor skating is permitted, there are restrictions and requirements that must be adhered to:
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Any person who enters or uses the [outdoor rink] maintains a physical distance of at least two metres from other persons using the [outdoor rink] (excluding members of the same household). Seasonal Recreation is in the process of updating signage for the rinks to ensure this information is prominently displayed for rink users.
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Team sports, or other sports or games where people may come within two metres of each other, are not practiced or played within the [outdoor rink].
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This means that hockey and ringette are not permitted within the current restrictions. Goal nets will not be provided at rinks to support the implementation of this restriction. Sticks, ball, pucks are not permitted on the ice.
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Any locker rooms, change rooms, showers and clubhouses remain closed, except to the extent they provide access to equipment storage, a washroom or a portion of the amenity that is used to provide first aid.
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Skaters are required to change their skates outside.
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Where washrooms are available, anyone who is entering the building to use them must adhere to the City of Ottawa’s Mandatory Mask By-Law.
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The indoor space can also be used for first aid treatment, if there is a risk of frostbite, or if you are concerned about the cold weather affecting a participant at your rink. Again, the City of Ottawa Mandatory Mask By-Law must be followed.
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Indoor spaces should have high touch point areas cleaned frequently. This includes door-knobs and counter tops.
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