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
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.