Central Commons Park community ice rink opens to Calgarians
It included seven years of development, but the outdoor refrigerated ice rink at University District’s Central Common Park is officially open.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Sunday with dignitaries, developers and community members.
The rink is similar to that of Olympic Plaza, across from city hall, but a larger surface.
Flanked by retail stores, restaurants, and just steps from the Alberta Children’s Hospital, developers say they are excited about the future of the area.
“It’s such a special moment for us, it's been long awaited, years in the making,” said Jacqueline Tran, manager of communications and marketing with University of Calgary Properties Group.
“We’ve worked with many collaborators and project teams to make this moment a reality.”
The Central Commons Park community ice rink officially opened to Calgarians on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. (Tyson Fedor/CTV News Calgary)
The three-acre green space is a community ice rink in the winter, and grassy area in the summer, hosting festivals.
Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong says the city is looking at developing other communities similarly.
“The fifty-fifty growth development, we would like to build those,” he said.
“Not just taking those single family houses and knocking them down and building fourplexes but building communities like this, where you get more densification in one common area.”
Health minister and MLA for Calgary-Varsity Jason Copping says this rink can be used by all members of Calgary.
“The children’s hospital is nearby, and one of the phenomenal things about this is these services can be used by everyone in the community or visitors in the community,” said Copping.
Hundreds came out to the event, with hot cider and free skate sharpening taking place.
The rink is situated below the Canadian Brewhouse and The Banquet bar on University Ave NW.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.