Public skating returns to W. Erskine Johnston Arena Dec. 1

CARP – Kick of December with a return to skating.

Starting Dec. 1, public skating will resume at Carp’s W. Erskine Johnston Arena – one of 11 indoor ice pads in the city of re-offer the service.

“Indoor public skating will be available by reservation at eleven city arenas, starting Tuesday, Dec. 1,” city staff released in a statement today (Nov. 27).

The other rinks offering indoor public skating includes:

• Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex – Orléans
• CARDELREC Recreation Complex – Goulbourn
• Fred Barrett Arena
• Jim Durrell Recreation Centre
• Manotick Community Centre and Mike O’Neil Arena
• Navan Memorial Centre
• Nepean Sportsplex
• Sandy Hill Arena
• St-Laurent Complex 
• Walter Baker Sports Centre

Skating schedules from Dec. 1 to 18 are available online at ottawa.ca.

“Since skating capacity will be limited to 25 skaters on each rink, you can reserve your 50-minute skate time up to two days in advance,” staff said. “Payment options for the admission fee vary at each arena. Please check ottawa.ca for more information.”

Children age 10 and under must be accompanied by one parent or guardian – on-ice or as a spectator. There is a maximum of one spectator per participant, with a capacity of 25 spectators total. Use of the player benches are restricted to the skaters only.

“Skaters and spectators must also maintain two-metre physical distancing from people outside of their household,” staff said. “While masks are not required on the ice, they must be worn throughout the building. Changerooms will be open but skaters are encouraged to arrive dressed to skate. Access to the arena and changerooms will be allowed 15 minutes prior to and after the skate. Remember, a CSA-certified hockey helmet is required for children aged 10 and under.”

Additional arenas will open for the holiday public skating schedule to run from Dec. 19 to Jan. 5. The selected arena locations follow the hub model to concentrate service resumption at key facilities that are geographically distributed across the city and better suited to maintain public health protocols.

For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca or call 311 (TTY: 613-580-2401).