Alongside the annual Christmas Tree Light Up, holiday musical performances, and Santa Light Parade, this year Victorians will get to enjoy another Canadian winter tradition with the opening of an outdoor ice-skating rink in Centennial Square.
The Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) plans to open the rink by November 26 and it will remain open until January 2.
The outdoor skating facility will be the first of its kind in downtown Victoria and will be located at the bottom end of the square, beside the McPherson Playhouse.
“We are excited to offer quintessential Canadian skating on real ice,” says Ken Kelly, DVBA general manager. “The 100-ton chiller unit will be keeping the ice solid throughout the 40 days that the rink will be in place.”
The cost to skate will be $2 and skate rentals will be available onsite for $5.
“It’s cheaper than rec centres,” says nursing student Matthew Jackson. “It’s good to see promotion of health for family unity and activity during financially troubled times.”
Speaking of financially troubled times, the Occupy Victoria movement hasn’t made things easy for DVBA organizers.
“There has been problems moving the remaining protestors out of the square where the rink is intended to go, and they have, unfortunately, slowed down the installation of Christmas lights in the eight trees that are lit up in the square,” says Kelly. “There will not be much appetite for the general public if there is any vestige in the square.”
Meanwhile, Yvonne Clarke, a teacher at Spencer Middle School, says her students are excited about the opening of a rink in the city.
“It will be a nice activity for families to enjoy together,” says Clarke. “Apart from the parade, and the tree light up, and visiting Santa, there isn’t much that goes on in Victoria in the winter time for families to do together, apart from shop.”
Holiday commercialism aside, there’s just something magical about skating in the outdoors, especially over the holidays.
“The decision has been made to actually allow people to go skating on Christmas and New Years,” says Kelly. “It will be open every day and will be available for special parties.”
Those looking for a cute date idea or memorable family outing now have something special to mark on their calendars.