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
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.