Keep your eyes peeled for a truck offering free ice skating rentals this winter.
The city’s Skate Lending Library is back for the second year running, loaded with equipment to make skating sessions easy and accessible to everyone at close to 35 locations.
The city-wide sports initiative comes in partnership with DesJardin Group and aims to support and engage citizens of all ages across Toronto in skating.
The distinctive truck will be parked at various spots around town between Dec. 1 and Jan. 21 armed with skates, helmets and skating aids for everyone to try.
Mayor Olivia Chow encouraged people to make the most of the complimentary winter activity in a tweet on Monday morning.
Lace up and get skating this winter for free at rinks across the city. Check the schedule to see where the skate lending library will be over the next few weeks.
— Mayor Olivia Chow (@MayorOliviaChow) December 4, 2023
Thank you to @DesjardinsGroup for their partnership to help make this happen. https://t.co/lDbIQOd7vR
The Lending Library is one of multiple programs taking place as part of the city’s Welcome TO Winter initiative which includes a skate exchange where people can donate or trade old or unwanted skates, Tobogganing in select locations, and a Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding Centre at Earl Bales Park, among other activities.
The Lending Library is available every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, until Jan. 21, is free to everyone and requires no reservations.
Here’s where to find it over the coming weeks.
West Mall Rink – Friday, Dec. 8, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Barbara Ann Scott Ice Trail (College Park) – Saturday, Dec. 9, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Heron Park Community Recreation Centre Arena – Sunday, Dec. 10, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hodgson Rink – Friday, Dec. 15, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Trinity Bellwoods Rink – Saturday, Dec. 16, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
North Toronto Memorial Rink (Eglinton Park) – Sunday, Dec. 17, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The full schedule is available here.
