Skating

People of all ages can enjoy skating in Ottawa. City arenas have sessions designed for the young and the young at heart. Feel like putting those blades on and taking a glide? Browse our public and specialty skating schedules to find a time and place that works for you. Schedules and fees are subject to change.

For more formal hockey gameplay options, check out the Fall 2019 and Winter 2020 Recreation Guide [ PDF - 658.80 KB ].

General skating sessions

• Public skating: Leisure session for people of all ages. Wheelchairs and strollers are permitted on the ice.
• Family skating: Leisure session for parents, seniors and children. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years and older. Wheelchairs and strollers are permitted on the ice.
• Adult skating: Leisure session for adults 19 years and older.
• Seniors skating: Leisure session for adults 50 years and older.

Specialized skating sessions

Pick up hockey for adults 18 years and older, adults 35 years and older, and adults 50 years and older

• Recreational and non contact.
• First-come, first-served with a maximum of 20 players and two goalies per session.
• It is mandatory for all players to wear full hockey equipment, including a CSA-approved multi-impact helmet. A full-face mask is recommended.

Shinny hockey

• Non-competitive, informal drop-in hockey for children (age 6 to 10) and youth (age 11 to 15).
• It is mandatory for all players to wear a CSA-approved multi-impact hockey helmet with full-face mask. Gloves, a neck protector and a hockey stick are also mandatory.
• Only foam pucks provided by the City are permitted. No slap shots.
• Staff will time shifts, determine teams based on skills, monitor the activity and encourage team play.
• Child shinny hockey: First-come, first-served with a maximum of 24 players and four goalies per session.
• Youth shinny hockey: First-come, first-served with a maximum 20 players and two goalies per session.

Figure skating

• Practice your recreational figure skating skills in a freestyle fashion. No instruction provided. No coaching permitted.
• First-come, first-served with a maximum of 25 skaters per session.
• All skaters under the age of 10, as well as new or weak skaters of any age, must wear a CSA-approved helmet.
• There may be a variance in skill levels on the ice.

Speed skating

• Practice your individual technique. No instruction provided.
• No mats along the boards.
• High-speed drills are not allowed.
• Speed skates, a CSA-approved helmet and cut-resistant gloves are mandatory. Neck protectors, knee pads and shin guards are highly recommended.
• First-come, first-served with a maximum of 25 skaters per session.

Please note that City Council has approved a 2.5% fee increase for 2020 registered programs, admissions, memberships and rentals.

Public skating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-purchasing a ticket or membership doesn’t guarantee admittance.

You can pay for skating at rinks in City recreation facilities with your membership, a pre-paid ticket, a credit card or debit. At stand-alone arenas, you must pay with your membership, a pre-paid ticket or exact change. The attendant cannot make change.

2019 general skating fees

• Children two years and under: Free
• Children three to four years: $1.75
• Children five years and older, youth, students, adults and seniors: $3.00
• One to two adults and their children: $7.50

2019 specialized skating fees

Specialized skating includes shinny hockey, pick up hockey, figure skating and speed skating.

• Children and youth: $3.00
• Adults and seniors: $6.50

Please follow the rules to ensure everyone has a safe and pleasant skating experience.

• Respect staff at all times.
• When the whistle sounds, listen to and follow staff instructions.
• Immediately report any accidents or injuries to staff.
• All skaters 10 years and under, as well as any new or weak skaters of any age, must wear a CSA-approved helmet. We recommend that all skaters wear a helmet. Bicycle helmets are not permitted.
• Skaters with medical conditions requiring a modified or specialized helmet are welcome.
• Only people wearing skates are permitted on rink.
• Skate at a sensible and safe speed in the same direction as other skaters.
• The middle of the ice surface is reserved for children and less confident skaters.
• Hockey pucks and sticks are not permitted during skating sessions.
• During supervised skating sessions, children seven years and under must be accompanied by a responsible person 16 years or older.
• You are personally responsible for ensuring that you can participate in physical activities.
• Anyone with a condition affecting their ability to participate must take appropriate safety precautions. They should be accompanied by an adult who understands their condition.

The following activities are not permitted on the ice. You could be asked to leave the facility if you do them.

• Carrying children (including baby carriers).
• Using headsets, cell phones or hand-held electronics.
• Bringing food or drinks on the ice.
• Rough play, speed and figure skating, and multiplayer games (such as tag and races).
• Foul language or inappropriate behaviour.

Wheelchairs, strollers and skating aids

• E-Z gliders are permitted as a skating aid during family and public skating.
• Wheelchairs and strollers are permitted during family and public skating.  They must be accompanied by a responsible person 16 years or older who is wearing skates.
• Babies must be safely secured in their strollers.
• Clean sand and salt off wheels before going on the ice.
• CSA-approved helmets are required for wheelchair and stroller occupants over 12 months.
• Wheelchairs and strollers should stay in the perimeter of the ice near the boards.

Ice cleaning and maintenance

Public skating sessions may be reduced to maintain and clean the ice. Staff are responsible for safe ice conditions and will make final decisions.

• General skating membership: Access all City arenas during general public skating sessions.
• Specialized skating membership: Access specialized skating sessions offered at all City arenas.
• Upgrade to an all-inclusive membership to access to all City fitness facilities and skating sessions.

2019 membership fees

Please note that City Council has approved a 2.5% fee increase for 2020 registered programs, admissions, memberships and rentals.

Membership fees include HST.

Where to get a membership 

• Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex, 1490 Youville Drive
• Brewer Pool and Arena, 100 Brewer Way
• Canterbury Recreation Complex, 2185 Arch Street
• CARDELREC Recreation Complex Goulbourn, 1500 Shea Road
• Champagne Fitness Centre, 321 King Edward Avenue
• Deborah Anne Kirwan Pool, 1300 Kitchener Avenue
• Heron Road Community Centre, 1480 Heron Road
• Jack Purcell Community Centre, 320 Jack Purcell Lane
• Kanata Leisure Centre and Wave Pool, 70 Aird Place
• Kanata Recreation Complex, 100 Charlie Rogers Place
• Lowertown Pool, 40 Cobourg Street
• Minto Recreation Complex - Barrhaven, 3500 Cambrian Road
• Pinecrest Recreation Complex, 2250 Torquay Avenue
• Plant Recreation Centre, 930 Somerset Street West
• Ray Friel Recreation Complex, 1585 Tenth Line Road
• Sawmill Creek Community Centre and Pool, 3280 D'Aoust Avenue
• Splash Wave Pool, 2040 Ogilvie Road
• Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue
• St-Laurent Complex, 525 Côté Street
• Terry Fox Athletic Facility, 2960 Riverside Drive
• Walter Baker Sports Centre, 100 Malvern Drive

Does your pick up hockey team need to find ice? Find an arena in your neighbourhood.

Once seasonal allocations for recreational leagues are processed, casual bookings for arena ice are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

1. Check arena availability.
2. If you find the ice time you want and are ready to pay for it, submit a rental request form.
3. Otherwise, call 613-580-2595 between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm or email sports@ottawa.ca.
4. We will email you a rink permit with information on how to pay. Review, sign and return a copy to sports@ottawa.ca.

2019 ice rental rates

Please note that City Council has approved a 2.5% fee increase for 2020 registered programs, admissions, memberships and rentals.

Ice rental rates for January 1 to April 30

• Adult prime time: $326.20
• Minor prime time: $195.55
• Non-prime time: $152.10
• Commercial: $335.80

Ice rental rates for May 1 to August 31

• Adult/minor: $326.20
• Minor recognized: $195.55 (May and June only)
• Last minute ice: $195.55
• Commercial: $335.80

Ice rental rates for September 1 to December 31

• Adult prime time: $326.20
• Minor prime time: $195.55
• Non-prime time: $152.10
• Commercial: $335.80

Rental rates for concrete when the ice is removed

• Adult: $58
• Minor: $36.10
• Commercial: $67.45

Please note that City Council has approved a 2.5% fee increase for 2020 registered programs, admissions, memberships and rentals.

Take advantage of a reduced rate by renting last-minute ice. Last-minute ice is booked in one-hour increments. All last-minute rental sales are final.

1. ​Log in using your Family PIN.
2. Search for arenas with last-minute ice available in the next 15 days. Availability is updated daily.
3. Submit a rental request form.
4. Staff will contact you within two business days to confirm your rental request.

2019 rental rates for last-minute ice

• Prime time: $195.55
• Non-prime time: $152.10

• Minor: 18 years and under.
• Adult: 19 years and older.
• Minor recognized: Sanctioned activities by minor associations in May and June.
• Prime time: Between September 1 and April 30, weekdays from 4 pm to 11 pm; on weekends and statutory holidays from 6 am to 11 pm.
• Non-prime time: Between September 1 and April 30, weekdays from open to 4 pm and 11 pm to close; on weekends and statutory holidays from 11 pm to close.
• Last-minute ice: Discounted ice time booked the same day or up to 15 days before the rental date.
• Training ice rental: Available for two consecutive hours during non-prime time, for a maximum of six skaters per hour.

Join in the winter fun at one of the City’s more than 250 outdoor rinks.

Jim Tubman Chevrolet Sens Rink

Canterbury Recreation Complex, 2185 Arch Street

• View schedule

Sens Rink of Dreams

Enjoy skating on the state-of-the-art refrigerated Sens Rink of Dreams.

• Open daily from 6 am to 11 pm (weather permitting).
• Heated changing facility open daily from 8 am to 11 pm.

Lansdowne Park skating court

• Open daily from 6 am to 11 pm (weather permitting).
• Bring your own skates, there are no skate rental services.
• On-street parking available nearby. A commercial parking lot is available on site, accessible from Bank Street and Queen Elizabeth Drive.

Ben Franklin Place skating rink

• Skating rink and heated changing facility
• Closed for the season

Volunteer at an outdoor rink

Make a difference in your community: join hundreds of volunteers who devote their time to provide access to winter activities for all. We are looking for community members to operate or support neighbourhood outdoor rinks. Grants are available.

How to get involved

• Operate an outdoor rink
• Assist with the maintenance of the ice surface
• Supervise the rinks and field house
• Run weekly children's programs
• Organize a winter carnival at your rink

For more information or to become a community outdoor rink operator or volunteer, please call 613-580-2590 or email seasonalrecreation@ottawa.ca.

Book an outdoor rink

Outdoor rinks are free to use. The permit request form will be available online as of December 1, 2019.

Ottawa’s outdoor rink season depends on the weather. Changes in it may affect your booking. Traditionally, the outdoor rink season runs from mid- to late-December until mid-February.

Outdoor rinks are operated by local community volunteers through a service agreement with the City. Operators devote their time and energy to maintain local outdoor rinks on behalf of the community.

Permit guidelines

• The City recommends a minimum of 12 skaters be present throughout your allotted time.
• Permits are issued for specific dates and times. They are not transferable.
• Rinks may be closed due to inclement weather during the time specified on the permit. To find out if the rink is open, contact the rink operator.
• Please refrain from skating during mild weather. This is a safety hazard and will damage the ice.
• A permit may be cancelled if participants do not show up for their allotted time on two consecutive occasions. Please contact your rink operator if you will miss your scheduled time.
• Bring a copy of your permit to the rink.
• Follow the direction of the rink attendant and/or the City representative.
• Only a responsible adult can have access to the field house or change station (if applicable). Keys cannot be duplicated. The key holder is responsible for the changing facility and supervision during the permit time.
• Children 10 years and under must be under adult supervision at all times.
• Scrape and clear the ice at the end of your booking. You may need to scrape or clear the ice before your rental time.
• It is highly recommended that all users wear a CSA-approved helmet while using the rink.
• Leave snow banks around un-boarded ice surfaces intact and ensure snow is completely shovelled over the boards at boarded rinks.
• All rinks close at 11 pm. Lights are turned off at this time.
• When leaving the location, please ensure that:
  • All scrapers and shovels are returned to the facility.
  • Windows are closed and locked.
  • Lights are turned off.
  • Doors are secured and locked.
  • The facility is clean.

Guidelines for school permits

• Students must be under adult supervision at all times.
• Please record daily attendance on the forms provided and send the total attendance for the season at the end of February by fax to 613-580-2591 or email to seasonalrecreation@ottawa.ca.

Please follow the rules to ensure a safe and pleasant skating experience.

• Use the rink at your own risk. You voluntarily assume all risk associated with any sport or event. The City of Ottawa does not accept responsibility for any related risks or injuries.
• Follow all direction from rink attendants and City staff.
• Report all accidents, injuries, misconduct and foul-language to staff immediately.
• It is highly recommended that all skaters wear a CSA-approved helmet while on the ice.
• Respect the posted schedule.
• Stay off the rink during inclement or mild weather.
• Children seven years and under must be actively supervised by a responsible person 16 years or older.
• You are personally responsible to ensure you are fit to participate in physical activities.
• Anyone with a condition affecting their ability to participate must take appropriate safety precautions to ensure their safety and are encouraged to be accompanied by an adult who understands their condition.

The following activities are not permitted at outdoor rinks. These activities could result in you being asked to leave the facility.

• Carrying children on the ice (including baby carriers).
• Smoking or loitering on the ice or near the facility.
• Bringing food or drinks on the ice.
• Accessing the park or rink between 11 pm and 6 am.
• Selling or distributing products or services anywhere in the park, unless authorized by the City.
• Using alcohol or drugs on City property.
• Rough play, speed and figure skating, and multiplayer games (such as tag and races).
• Foul language or inappropriate behaviour.

Wheelchairs, strollers and skating aids

• Only E-Z gliders are permitted as an aid.
• Wheelchairs and strollers are permitted during skating sessions, when accompanied by a responsible person 16 years or older wearing skates.
• Babies must be secured in their strollers.
• CSA-approved helmets are required for people in wheelchairs and strollers.
• Clean sand and salt off wheels before getting on the ice.

Hockey and ringette

• Hockey and ringette can only be played on boarded rinks or at sites where a separate non-boarded surface has been built specifically for those sports.
• It is highly recommended that all participants wear a CSA-approved helmet with full-face masks, hockey gloves and neck protectors.
• Hockey sticks, pucks and balls are not permitted on ice surfaces next to boarded surfaces.
• Keep pucks down on the boarded rink surface to prevent injuries to spectators and players.

The City offers recreational skating classes at nine locations:

• Bernard-Grandmâitre Arena
• Brewer Pool and Arena
• J.A. Dulude Arena
• Jim Durrell Recreation Centre
• McNabb Recreation Centre
• Barbara Ann Scott Arena at the Pinecrest Recreation Complex
• Tom Brown Arena
• Sandy Hill Arena
• Jack Charron Arena

Classes are offered seven days a week. Everyone two years and older is welcome. Skaters must wear a CSA-approved hockey helmet.

Private lessons for 25 or 50 minutes with a certified instructor are available. The skills covered depend on the participant’s level. To register for private lessons, please call 613-580-2424 ext. 41460.

Additional programs include I Love to Skate, Autism Pilot and special arrangements with schools and businesses.

Register now or call 613-580-2596 for more information.

Trick treat or swim tickets are no longer available. They will be back on sale October 2020.

Be sure to use your 2019 tickets before January 31, 2020. Kids ages three to 15 can redeem their tickets from November 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020 during regularly scheduled public or family swims and skates at City pools and select arenas.

Tickets are not valid for wave swims or specialty skating sessions.