Skating

General Rules and Guidelines 

• Participants 9 years of age and younger must be supervised by a parent/guardian who is at least 14 years of age and must always provide and maintain direct supervision
• Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certified hockey helmet with cage or visor are strongly recommended at all public access skates. 
• Hockey sticks and pucks are allowed during Stick and Puck and Shinny times only.
• Body contact is not permitted.
• Only participants with single-bladed skates will be permitted on the ice.
• Skate aids are permitted during public access skate times only – cannot be used during Stick and Puck and/or Shinny.
• No headsets, cellphones, or other handheld devices are allowed on the ice.
• Food & beverages are not permitted on the ice.
• No carrying of others while on the ice surface – this includes but not limited to babies, small children, etc.
• Private lessons/coaching is not permitted during drop-in programs.
• Spectators are only permitted in designated viewing areas.
• All injuries and incidents must be reported to staff immediately.

 Skate Aids

• Depending on staff discretion, a designated beginner's area may be set up during the session. Skate aids are only permitted within this area.
• Skate aids are ideally suited for beginners. The aids are suitable for all ages, adults can stack two together for additional support.
• The skate aid is designed to provide users with stability on the ice,it is not intended to teach users how to skate.
• The skate aid should be held using the handles on the side. Do not push the skate aid from the top middle as this may cause it to tip.
• While using a skate aid it is strongly recommended that all participants wear a properly fitted Canadian Standard Association (CSA) approved hockey helmet with cage or visor. 
• The use of personal skate aids are not permitted at indoor arena drop-in programs

Inclusion and Support Equipment 

Support Person Access

In accordance with the AODA, persons with a disability may be accompanied by a support person when on the premises, but only if a support person is necessary to protect the health or safety of the person with a disability or the health or safety of others on the premises.

Caregivers/support workers will be granted access to public access programs free of charge

Personal Assistive Mobility Device (PAMD)

To allow access for all, the use of Personal Assistive Mobility Device (PAMD) is allowed at all Public Skates and Parent and Child Skates. Caregivers/support workers will be granted access to public access programs free of charge when assisting a participant.

To ensure safety for all we ask:

• A CSA approved helmet with cage or visor is strongly recommended for participants using a PAMD and the caregiver/support person.
• Ensure the PAMD does not interfere with other who are also using the ice surface.
• The caregiver/support person must be in proper skating attire, including skates, to assist on ice.
• Town staff are unable to assist with a PAMD

Note: Chairs, strollers, toboggans, and other such devices are not considered/permitted as PAMD on ice.

Medical Concerns

Individuals with serious medical conditions or with seizure disorders are asked to be accompanied by a parent/guardian, support person who can assist in the case of an emergency and knowledgeable of their condition. 

 Learn to Skate Admission Standards 

• Participants must wear a properly fitted Canadian Standard Association (CSA) approved hockey helmet. A helmet cage or full visor are strongly recommended.
• Bicycle, multi-sport or snowboarding/skiing helmets are not permitted on ice.
• All participants must have single-bladed sharpened ice skates. 
• Participants are encouraged to wear warm layers including jacket, snow pants, hat and gloves.

Hockey Skills and Drills Admission Standards

• Participants must wear a properly fitted Canadian Standard Association (CSA) approved hockey helmet with cage or full visor.
• Full hockey equipment (neck guard, shoulder pads, elbow pads, jock/jill, hockey gloves, hockey pants, shin pads, skates, jersey and hockey stick) is required. 

Open leisure skate for participants of all ages and skating ability. Participants are asked to skate in the same direction as others.

• Participants 9 years of age and younger must be supervised on-ice by a parent/guardian who is at least 14 years of age and must always provide and maintain direct supervision.
• Participants to parent/guardian ratio is 3:1
• Parent/guardian is not required to pay if they are not participating on ice. 

Parent and Child Skate Admission Standards

Open leisure skate for parent/guardian and child (9 years and under).

• A parent/guardian is required on ice to provide direct supervision.
• Participant to parent/guardian ratio is 3:1

Parent and Child Stick and Puck Admission Standards 

This recreational skate allows parents/guardian and children (9 years of age and under) to practice hockey skills - skating, shooting, and stick handling.

• A parent/guardian is required on ice to provide direct supervision.
• Participant to parent/guardian ratio is 3:1
• Full hockey equipment is highly recommended for all participants.
• Participants 9 years of age and younger must wear a properly fitted Canadian Standard Association (CSA) approved hockey helmet with cage or full visor.
• Organized game play and/or team practices are not permitted.

Youth Shinny Admission Standards 

• There will be no organized game play lead by Town staff.
• Full hockey equipment is highly recommended for all participants.
• Participants must wear a properly fitted Canadian Standard Association (CSA) approved hockey helmet with cage or full visor.
• Organized team play and/or team practices are not permitted. 

Adult Shinny Admission Standards 

An informal pick-up game of hockey for participants 18 years of age and older. Participants are to plan and organize game play themselves.

• Full hockey equipment, CSA approved hockey helmets with cage or visor are strongly recommended for all participants. 

Free Drop-In Shinny for Goalies (Pilot Program)

We’re thrilled to introduce a new pilot program aimed at making shinny hockey more enjoyable and dynamic for everyone. Starting January 6, 2025, goalies can attend drop-in shinny sessions for free!

Goalies are essential to the game, and their presence ensures a more balanced and enjoyable shinny hockey experience. By waiving fees, we aim to attract more goalies to sessions, creating dynamic and engaging games for everyone on the ice.

How it works

To qualify for free admission, goalies need to bring their full set of equipment, including a goaltender stick, glove, blocker, leg pads, and helmet/mask. Upon arrival, simply show your equipment to our staff at check-in, and if you’re one of the first four (4) goalies for that session, your fee will be waived.

This program applies only to single-visit admissions. Goalies attending without presenting their gear or those who arrive after the four-spot limit will need to pay the applicable fee.

If a session is cancelled after goalies have checked in, no compensation or reimbursement will be provided for free admissions.

Existing membership holders

If you have a membership, this pilot program does not apply. Membership holders must continue using their passes for admission. If you have a 10x Pass, you’re eligible for free entry and will not need to use one of your visits when attending as a goalie.

Locations of Community Rinks (Town Maintained)

Guidelines for Town Maintained Rinks

• Outdoor town-maintained rinks are open to the public and free to use.
• Canadian Standard Association (CSA) certified with a full-face cage/shield is strongly recommended.
• Hockey and Figure Skating are not allowed.
• Single-bladed skates only are permitted on the ice.
• Food and beverages are not permitted on the ice. 

Locations of Community Rinks (Volunteer Maintained)