The outdoor waterfront skating rink at the Harbourfront Centre will be closed for the entire 2020-2021 season due to an infrastructure failure.
The closure means that Harbourfront’s popular DJ Skate Nights and Learn to Skate program will not take place this year. Organizers had hoped to open the rink with the appropriate COVID-19 safety protocols in place.
In a statement, Harbourfront Centre said the skating rink’s operating system infrastructure, which is necessary for maintaining a consistent rink surface throughout the season, failed after 37 years.
In order to fix the operating system, Harbourfront will have to remove the concrete foundation and replace all the pipes and infrastructure.
“This will require immediate capital funding. The weather sensitivity of the concrete rebuilds means the majority of the work, if funded, will take place in spring 2021,” Harbourfront said in the statement.
Skating on outdoor rinks is one of the few lower-risk activities that still allow for socialization throughout the winter. Under the province’s new colour-coded guidelines, even regions in the red “control” zone would be allowed to continue recreational sports activities outdoors with up to 25 people at a time.
There is a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission, while also allowing for exercise during the city’s coldest season.
Harbourfront Centre said they “had great hopes for opening the rink in a COVID-safe manner, embracing all health and safety protocols and procedures.”
The cultural organization hopes to reopen the rink for the 2021-2022 winter skating season, depending on funding.
