Residents looking to lace up their skates now have a couple of outdoor options in Barrie, with the City confirming two outdoor ice rinks are open for the season. According to the City, the municipality operates and manages eight indoor arena ice pads as well as eight outdoor ice rinks during the winter months. In addition to those City-maintained locations, some neighbourhood parks may also feature volunteer-maintained outdoor rinks. Both the Circle at the Centre ice rink at City Hall and the Will Dwyer Park Community Ice Rink are currently listed as open, weather permitting. The City says those two outdoor rinks are artificial ice surfaces. Because of that, they can typically open earlier in the season and remain available as long as weather conditions allow. City staff clear snow from both the Circle at the Centre and Will Dwyer rinks every morning, including weekends, with the rinks opening daily at 10 a.m. At Will Dwyer Park, the City says shovels are kept on-site so users can help keep the ice surface clear throughout the day, noting there are no permanent staff stationed at that location. The City also maintains several natural outdoor rinks across Barrie, including those located at Ferndale, Holly, Lampman, Redpath and Shear parks, however these rinks are not yet open for public use. In addition to City-run locations, officials say outdoor rinks may also be available through its Neighbourhood Outdoor Rink Volunteer Program. However, the City cautions that volunteer-maintained rinks are not guaranteed to be operational at all times. The City notes the condition and availability of volunteer-maintained rinks can change frequently depending on weather, terrain and volunteer participation. Residents are encouraged to keep that in mind when planning to use those locations. The City reminds residents that outdoor rink conditions can change quickly due to temperature and snowfall, and availability may be adjusted to protect the ice surface and ensure public safety.
