Outdoor Skating Rinks

The Municipality of Clarington will assist residents who want to set up an outdoor skating rink in a local municipal park during the winter months by providing materials and training for volunteers to build and maintain the outdoor skating rink. Clarington is seeking applications from resident groups who wish to take on the responsibility of building an outdoor rink for the whole community to enjoy.

Applications will be accepted until November 1 of each year.

Lace up your skates, Clarington!

Thanks to Clarington’s full-time and part-time firefighters, residents have another option to get in some laps on the ice. A new 50 by 100-foot community skating rink has been built on top of the baseball diamond at Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex. As long as there’s ice, the rink is open, and from 4 to 10 p.m. each night, the rink will be lit by the ball diamond lights.

Physical distancing and all public health regulations apply. If the rink is busy, consider returning at another time and please be considerate of others waiting to get some ice time. Maintain a two-metre physical distance from others and wear a mask when physical distancing can’t be maintained.

Clarington’s full-time and part-time firefighters donated their time to construct the rink and will continue maintaining the natural ice surface during the winter months.

If you have concerns about the ice, please email fire@clarington.net.

Applications and approval process

Interested applicants must contact the Municipality in writing to notify Clarington that they are interested in setting up an outdoor skating rink. The deadline to apply is November 1 of each year.
The written notice must be signed by a minimum of four volunteers and must include proof of a resident petition and support for the outdoor skating rink.
Residents can request a location and size of the rink; this must be approved by the Municipality. Locations for outdoor ice rinks must be on flat land, must be accessible and must have adequate ambient lighting. The location must also be close to a water source.
The Municipality requires that outdoor ice rinks will be at least 20 metres offset from adjacent private property. The minimum size allowed is 7.6 metres by 15.2 metres or 25 feet by 50 feet. The maximum allowed size is 15.2 metres by 30.5 metres or 50 feet by 100 feet. Please note that rinks on natural ice formations such as ponds will not be allowed.
Once a rink is approved, volunteers must provide proof of insurance coverage for $1,000,000, naming the Municipality of Clarington as an additional insured.
Volunteers must comply with all the conditions outlined in the Municipality's Outdoor Ice Skating Rink policy (PDF).

Responsibilities

Volunteer responsibilities

All volunteers must take part in the Municipality's training for outdoor ice skating rinks. Training will be provided by Clarington Parks staff and will cover the roles and responsibilities of the volunteer group prior to set-up and operation of the rink.
Volunteers will need to install and maintain the rink equipment including perimeter rink boards, picnic tables, garbage cans and any other equipment supplied by the Municipality.
Volunteers must maintain the rink daily. This includes snow shovelling, ice scraping, flooding of the ice surface and providing any litter pick-up.
Volunteers must provide a daily inspection log of the rink, in the morning and afternoon. This will be submitted weekly to Municipal staff. Any maintenance or safety concerns MUST be reported immediately to Municipal staff.
Volunteers must report any injuries or medical emergencies to Municipal staff.
The group running the outdoor ice skating rink should ensure there are at least four volunteers who will assist with rink upkeep and maintenance.
At the end of the season, all equipment loaned by the Municipality must be returned.
Volunteers can submit a letter requesting compensation for the use of a private water source for the rink maintenance. Compensation will be up to a maximum of $50.

Municipal responsibilities

Provide training to volunteers on how to build and maintain an ice skating rink, how to complete the daily inspection logs, properly manage risk, health and safety procedures and more.
Deliver any equipment needed to build the outdoor skating rink.
Complete an inspection of the rink once a week.
Assist volunteers during regular business hours with advice and answer any questions regarding issues with the outdoor skating rink.
Follow up on any issues or improper use of the outdoor skating rink as set out in the Parks By-law.
Process compensation claims for private water use.