Better dust off those skates! After almost being put on ice two years ago, the iconic outdoor skating rink at Harbourfront Centre is set to re-open next Saturday, Dec. 21, on a new rink.
It was in January 2023 that centre management announced plans to replace the space with a plaza that could be used year-round.
At the time, management cited costs associated with operating, maintaining and repairing the outdoor rink - a venue for many parent-child adventures, skate dates and outings by visitors to the city.
After public outcry about the reimagined space, those plans were scrubbed, thanks in part to the City of Toronto and Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik.
"I'm thrilled to bring back ice skating at Harbourfront Centre!" Malik said in a social media post. "My motion approved at council provided funding to close the gap and enable a seasonal rink."
"Skating at Habourfront Centre looking onto Lake Ontario is a cherished memory, and missed by many," Malik added.
Malik credited the community's advocacy as well as the work of city and centre staff.
The city ended up budgeting around $420,000 to install a new skating rink.
“There’s nothing more magical than carving memories into the ice, surrounded by the iconic skyline that makes Torontonians proud to call this city home,” Cathy Loblaw, CEO of the centre said in a statement.
This year's lakefront skating experience comes with fire pits, as well as DJ Skate Nights on Saturdays.
The centre says it has skate rentals for all ages and sizes, as well as skate sharpening.
Every Saturday there will be free skate rentals courtesy of the Waterfront BIA.
The centre recently lit up a 33-ft. Christmas tree as the centrepiece of Winterfest Toronto, a holiday market running on weekends until Jan. 5, with hot chocolate, mulled wine, train rides for kids, a food market and an urban tree lot.
The ice rink will be open seven days a week until mid-March. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Harbourfront Centre Rink is at 235 Queens Quay West.
