Guide to the Clarington Public Skating

A thriving community in the center of Ontario, Clarington Public Skating Ring is built on its passion for outdoor leisure and sports.

Among its many attractions, public skating is a beloved pastime that unites people of all ages and origins. With its charming scenery and friendly people, Clarington is a great place for locals and tourists to put on their skates and skate over the ice.

We explore the world of public skating in Clarington in this blog post, looking at its advantages, well-liked locations, and sense of community it promotes.

The Advantages of Skating in Public:

Beyond merely being a fun pastime, public skating is a great way to stay active and healthy. Regardless of your level of experience, there are several advantages.

Skating helps build muscles, improve cardiovascular health, and improve balance and coordination. People of all fitness levels can benefit from this low-impact, soft on the joints exercise.

Additionally, skating in public offers a chance for interaction and sociability. At nearby rinks, individuals, families, and friends come together to laugh and make memories.

It’s an opportunity to get away from the stress of everyday life and experience the thrill of elegantly gliding over ice.

Popular Clarington Public Skating Locations:

There are many top-notch public skating facilities in Clarington, each providing skaters with a special experience. Here are a few well-liked locations:

1. Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex: Offering a variety of recreational possibilities, including public skating, the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex is a center of activity in Clarington. It is a local favorite because of its large ice surface and contemporary amenities.

Families can take part in skate-a-thons and themed activities hosted by the complex, as well as open skate sessions.

2. South Courtice Arena: Another well-liked location for public skating, the South Courtice Arena is situated in the quaint village of Courtice. Skaters of all ages may enjoy a warm and inviting setting thanks to the arena’s pleasant atmosphere and courteous staff.

At South Courtice Arena, there’s something for everyone, including figure skating tuition and open skate sessions.

3. Newcastle Community Hall: This warm and welcoming venue provides public skating for those looking for a more private experience. The hall is a favorite with families and community organizations because of its historic charm, which enhances the experience. Ice hockey players can play friendly games or take leisurely laps around the rink.

Relationships and Community:

Beyond its recreational and physical benefits, public skating is essential for building connections and a sense of community. Skating rinks are community hubs in Clarington, where locals go to celebrate holidays, lend a hand to neighborhood happenings, and just hang out.

Events like school skating trips, winter carnivals, and charity fundraisers help people feel more connected to one another and a part of the community.

In addition, public skating encourages diversity and inclusivity by extending a warm invitation to people from all backgrounds to take part in and enjoy the sport. On the ice, solidarity reigns supreme and disagreements are put aside.

Some Advice for Having Fun in Clarington’s Public Skating:

Here are some pointers to get the most of your Clarington public skating experience as you get started:

1. Wear warm clothing: Layering is essential for maintaining comfort on the ice. To stay warm, make sure you have on a hat, gloves, and thick socks.

2. Exercise safety: Consistently abide by the regulations and policies established by the skating rink. Wear the proper safety equipment, such as child-sized helmets, and keep an eye out for other skaters on the ice.

3. Have fun: Above all, don’t forget to enjoy yourself! Enjoying the present and embracing the thrill of movement is the main goal of public skating, regardless of how beautifully you’re gliding or how many new abilities you’re learning.

In summary:

Public skating is more than simply a leisure activity in Clarington; it’s a beloved custom that fosters community spirit, happiness, and good health.

The thrill of gliding across the ice and the coziness of spending time with loved ones make public skating in Clarington an experience that will never be forgotten.

Put on your skates, feel the chill of winter, and experience the wonders of Clarington’s public skating scene for yourself.

For more information, click here: https://www.clarington.net/en/recreation-and-tourism/Skating.aspx

Clarington Public Skating offers residents the opportunity to enjoy ice time with affordable pricing, including single visits, drop-ins, and annual passes. Group memberships and family discounts are available, ensuring a fun and accessible experience for everyone in the community.

Residents of Clarington can set up an outdoor skating rink in a nearby park during the winter with help from the Municipality of Clarington. The municipality will provide tools and training for volunteers to build and take care of the rink. Residents’ groups in Clarington are being asked to apply if they want to build an outdoor rink for the whole community to use.

You can send in your application until November 1 of every year.

How to apply and get approval:

• Anyone who wants to set up an outdoor rink must write to the Municipality and let Clarington know they are interested. Every year, the last day to apply is November 1.
• The written notice needs to be backed up by at least four workers and show proof of a petition from locals in favour of the outdoor rink.
• Residents can ask where and how big the rink should be, but the Municipality has to agree. Outdoor ice rinks must be on flat ground, be easy to get to, and have enough lights throughout the day. Also, the spot has to be near a body of water.
• The Municipality says that public ice rinks must be at least 20 meters away from private property next to them. The smallest size that can fit is 7.6 meters by 15.2 meters, which is 25 feet by 50 feet. The biggest size that can fit is 15.2 meters by 30.5 meters, which is 50 feet by 100 feet. It’s important to know that rinks won’t be allowed on natural ice bodies like ponds.
• Once a rink is approved, volunteers must show proof that they have $1,000,000 in insurance that names the Municipality of Clarington as an extra insured.
• The Municipality’s Outdoor Ice Skating Rink policy (PDF) outlines all the rules that volunteers must follow.

Responsibilities 

What volunteers need to do

• Everyone who helps with outdoor ice rinks has to go through the Municipality’s training. Officials from Clarington Parks will teach the volunteer group their roles and tasks before the rink is set up and used.
• The rink’s perimeter boards, picnic tables, trash cans, and any other items provided by the Municipality will need to be set up and maintained by volunteers.
• Every day, volunteers have to take care of the rink. This includes shovelling snow, scraping ice, soaking the ice surface, and picking up any trash that is left behind.
• Every day, in the morning and afternoon, volunteers must fill out an inspection log of the rink. This will be sent to the city staff every week. Any problems with maintenance or safety MUST be reported right away to the city workers.
• Any volunteers who get hurt or have a medical emergency must tell Municipal workers.
• The group that runs the outdoor ice rink should make sure there are at least four workers who can help keep the rink in good shape.
• Everything that the Municipality lends out must be returned at the end of the season.
• Volunteers can send a letter asking to be paid for using a private water source to take care of the rink. The highest amount of money that will be paid is $50. 

Municipality responsibilities 

• Volunteers should be taught how to build and keep an ice skating rink, fill out the daily inspection logs, handle risks, health and safety procedures, and other things.
• Bring any tools that will be needed to build the outdoor rink.
• Inspection of the rink should be done once a week.
• Give volunteers tips and answer any questions they have about problems with the outdoor rink during normal business hours.
• Follow up on any problems or bad use of the outdoor rink as laid out in the Parks The law.
• Take care of cases for compensation for private water use.

Parent and child skate

Follow these rules to ensure everyone stays safe and has a good time.

• All people on the ice must wear helmets and skates that the CSA approves. For kids younger than five, bicycle, ski, and snow sport helmets are not the same as CSA-certified hockey helmets.
• The child must be younger than seven years old, and the parent or guardian must be at least eighteen.
• No older brothers or other family members could be on the ice.
• You can’t bring sticks or pucks to Parent and Child Skate.
• During drop-in skating classes, the city does not provide skate aids. People who need help skating can bring an approved skate-aid to use independently. As skate aids, you can’t use strollers, chairs, or things you made yourself. To find out more about allowed skate aids, please talk to staff on-site.
• On the ice, strollers can go as long as the wheels are clean and the child is safely inside.
• This behaviour is not being watched directly. Tell the staff or the front desk about any problems you’re having.

Please follow the rules to ensure everyone stays safe and has a good time skating.

Basic rules:

• Always be polite to staff.
• Listen and do what it says when the whistle blows.
• Report any crashes or injuries right away to staff.
• All skaters should wear hockey helmets that the CSA approves.
• Kids younger than five must wear hockey caps that the CSA has approved. For kids younger than five, bicycle, ski, and snow sport helmets are not the same as CSA-certified hockey helmets.
• On the ice, you can only be with people who are wearing skates.
• Skate at a safe and sensible speed in the same way as other skaters. You can’t skate backwards.
• Kids and skaters who aren’t sure of themselves can use the middle of the ice.
• No one younger than eight years old can be alone with a child younger than eight.

The following things and actions are not allowed on the ice:

• Having children with you (including baby slings),
• sticks and pucks for hockey,
• Headphones, cell phones, or portable tools,
• Something to eat or drink,
• playing rough, speed and figure skating, and play games with other people (tag and races).
• Bad words or acting in a bad way:

Wheelchairs, walkers, and tools for skating

• People with wheelchairs, adaptive strollers, or pushchairs that have clean wheels are allowed on the ice during public skates, but an adult skater must join them.
• Wheelchair users younger than five years old must wear hockey caps that the CSA approves.
• During public skates, strollers are not allowed on the ice.
• During drop-in skating classes, the city does not provide skate aids. People who need help skating can bring an approved skate aid to use on their own. As skate aids, you can’t use strollers, chairs, or things you made yourself. To find out more about allowed skate aids, please talk to staff on-site.

The prices to get into public skating are shown in the table below. No tax is added to the prices. Prices will stay the same until December 31, 2024.

Single-Visit Drop-In Passes A year

Adult $4.33 $39 $214.55 

Child $3.41 $30.70 $107.28

Seniors aged 55 and up $3.41 $30.70 $107.28 

Group Membership 

• Kids under three don’t have to pay anything.
• Member rates for groups: If three or more family members live in the same home, you can get a 20% discount. Needs proof of address. The discount is only good at the time of purchase, and everyone in the family has to sign up simultaneously. The student rate can’t be used with this.
• Group: Up to five people living in the same place, with no more than two adults. You need to show proof of your home.
• Adult: Someone aged 18 to 54.
• Senior: Anyone over 55 years old.
• Student: Anyone between the ages of 18 and 54 currently studying full-time.
• Email communityservices@clarington.net and pay the $10 processing fee to cancel your yearly membership anytime for any cause.
• Memberships can be paid for with monthly payments that are already set up. Adults must be in charge of their own money and have their registration account. Kids younger than 18 must use a credit card or checking account that belongs to a parent or guardian.
• Memberships can’t be given to someone else.
• Emails are used to send reminders of membership renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Clarington Public Skating

Q1. How can residents apply to set up an outdoor rink in Clarington?

Residents interested in setting up an outdoor rink must write to the Municipality of Clarington. The application deadline is November 1 every year. At least four workers must support applications and include proof of a petition from locals in favor of the outdoor rink.

Q2. What are the size requirements for outdoor ice rinks?

Rinks must be on flat ground, easily accessible, and have sufficient lighting. The rink must be at least 20 meters away from private property and within the range of 7.6 meters by 15.2 meters to 15.2 meters by 30.5 meters.

Q3. What responsibilities do volunteers have for maintaining the outdoor rink?

Volunteers must undergo training provided by Clarington Parks officials. Maintenance includes setting up and caring for perimeter boards, picnic tables, trash cans, and other items provided by the Municipality. Daily tasks include shovelling snow, scraping ice, soaking the surface, and submitting inspection logs to the city staff every week.

Q4. What insurance is required for volunteers running the rink?

Approved rinks must show proof of $1,000,000 in insurance naming the Municipality of Clarington as an additional insured.

Q5. How can volunteers request payment for using a private water source?

Volunteers can submit a letter requesting payment, with the maximum amount being $50.

Q6. What are the rules for Parent and Child Skate?

All individuals on the ice must wear CSA-approved helmets and skates. Children must be younger than seven, and the accompanying parent or guardian must be at least eighteen. No older siblings or family members are allowed on the ice during Parent and Child Skate.

Q7. What are the basic rules for skating at the outdoor rink?

• Politeness to staff is essential.
• Follow instructions when the whistle blows.
• Report any crashes or injuries promptly.
• CSA-approved hockey helmets are mandatory for all skaters.

Q8. Are there restrictions on items and actions on the ice?

Prohibited items/actions include sticks and pucks, headphones, cell phones, eating/drinking, rough play, speed/figure skating, and games (tag and races).

Q9. What is the pricing for public skating?

Prices for single visits, drop-ins, and annual passes for adults, children, and seniors are provided in the table. Group memberships and discounted rates for families are available.

Q10. How can I cancel my yearly membership?

Email communityservices@clarington.net and pay a $10 processing fee to cancel your yearly membership anytime and for any reason.