Clarington unveils designs for the municipality’s first-ever outdoor refrigerated skating rink

Clarington, Ontario – Clarington will soon begin construction on a refrigerated outdoor skating rink at the Courtice Community Complex—the first of its kind in the municipality.

The facility, which is expected to open for the 2024-25 skating season, features a refrigerated ice surface bordered by a rubber skate mat, ample lighting for evening use, covered and uncovered chairs and benches, two gas fire pits and a warming room.

The rink will provide residents of all ages with an opportunity to enjoy leisure skating on a surface that stays consistently frozen despite fluctuations in the weather, and for longer periods during the winter months. At other times of the year, the facility will be used for a variety of leisure activities such as outdoor markets, community events, recreational sports and other programming.

“This is an exciting day,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster. “I am thrilled by the plans for a new refrigerated outdoor skating rink where our residents will enjoy skating in winter and community events year-round. Clarington’s first refrigerated outdoor skating rink will create a common space for residents to stay active, have fun, and connect with friends and family. This new space will be a great addition to our community and will further enhance the exceptional quality of life here.”

Left to right: Lloyd Rang, Councillor, Ward 2; Willie Woo, Regional Councillor, Wards 3 and 4; Sami Elhajjeh, Councillor, Ward 1; Granville Anderson, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 and 2; Adrian Foster, Mayor; and Margaret Zwart, Councillor, Ward 4.

In addition to the Courtice Community Complex rink, another outdoor rink will be built at Diane Hamre Recreation Complex in Newcastle, to open in November 2025. The South Bowmanville Recreation Centre, which will begin construction this year and open its doors in 2026, will also feature a refrigerated outdoor rink to help meet rising community demand for recreational space.

As Clarington grows, recreational needs are changing and diversifying. This facility, and the two other new rinks, will help people connect to their community and take part in healthy, active living. It will also support the goals of Clarington’s Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan to plan for services and facilities to meet the community’s needs now and in the future. Learn more about the plan at www.clarington.net/PRCMP.