Skating outdoors is such a classic Canadian experience. “ODR (outdoor rink) season” has become a popular term, especially in Ontario over the last couple years. Many families and communities have put in the hard work to build an outdoor oasis for skating, hockey, and family fun in the great outdoors.
For those of us who don’t have the space for a backyard rink, or just don’t want to be outside when it’s -20 flooding the ice, there are several rinks that are open to the public. Whether you want to round up a few friends for a game of shinny or you want to skate under the stars on a crisp, cool evening, Grey County has a few outdoor rink options to check out.
Harrison Park Good Cheer Rink
Address: 75 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound
Located in the heart of Owen Sound’s beautiful Harrison Park, the Good Cheer Outdoor Rink is a popular spot for families to lace up their skates. The hours are from sunrise to 10:00pm daily. There is a limited capacity of 25 users on the ice at one time to ensure skaters can maintain 2m physical distancing.
Hockey and recreational skating are scheduled on alternating calendar days. The
H.O.S.E
. rule is in place to promote safety and enjoyment for everyone. i.e.
H
OCKEY on
O
DD calendar days, and
S
KATING on
E
VEN calendar days. Warm up with a hot chocolate to-go from the
Harrison Park Inn
, or fuel up with one of their tasty take-out options.
The City requires that appropriate protective equipment is worn when using the outdoor rink. Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult. Please respect these guidelines and fellow users. For regular updates about the Good Cheer Rink at Harrison Park, follow the City of Owen Sound on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .
Priceville Outdoor Rinks
Address:
104 Kinross Street, Priceville
The small village of Priceville now has two really great outdoor rinks, thanks to a committed group of community volunteers. They flood the baseball diamond and the basketball court located beside Stothart Hall. Open from sunrise until 11:00pm when the ball diamond lights are shut off.
You can check their
Facebook
page for updates on the status of the rink before you go. And please remember it is maintained by volunteers and may not be clear after a heavy snowfall, and ice may not be ideal following inclement weather.
Egremont Optimist Club Outdoor Rink
Address: 392137 Grey County Road 109, Holstein
Tucked in behind the
Egremont Optimist Club
is a small but mighty outdoor rink which is maintained by volunteers from the Optimist Club in Holstein. The rules are be kind and courteous while using the rink, respect others, and be sure to wear the proper protective equipment. There are shovels to clear any snow off before you skate, if the volunteers haven’t had the chance to get to it.
Pop into the
Holstein General Store
for their daily soup specials or some fresh local baked goods.
Woodview Mountaintop Skating at Blue Mountain
Address: 201 Scenic Caves Road, Unit AW2, The Blue Mountains
If you haven’t skated along the top of the Niagara Escarpment - whether under the stars or during the day for a stunning view of Georgian Bay – you’re missing out. The 1.1km skating loop is located at the top of Blue Mountain and can be accessed via Scenic Caves Road (winter tires are recommended). It’s open from 12:00pm - 8:00pm daily, but be sure to check the
website
for the status before heading out, as weather does impact the rink. Ice skate rentals are available and all skill levels are welcome.
You can also grab a bite eat or a drink afterward, at the
Off-Piste Patio
located just outside the Woodview and there are always lots of warm and cozy drink options in the
Village
.
Please follow all Public Health Guidelines and our
Personal Responsibility Code
when you visit
.
Indoor public skating is opening up once again with restrictions in place. You can find more information here:
Owen Sound Public Skating
- includes both the Bayshore and Julie McArthur Rec Centre
Chatsworth Public Skating
- takes place at the Keady Arena
Dundalk Arena
- must book your own ice time for a fee
