City of Ottawa making changes at refrigerated rinks, sledding hills, in compliance with class order

The City of Ottawa is implementing a new reservation system at its four outdoor skating rinks and is asking that residents limit their time at toboggan hills during busy periods so everyone can have a chance to sled, as a class order comes into effect.

Ottawa’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches, has issued an order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act to restrict the number of people at skating rinks and sledding hills to 25 at one time, in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by ensuring physical distancing between members of different households. 

The city's new online reservation system will allow residents to book free 45-minute skating times.

Starting Saturday, January 9, reservations will be required to skate at the following peak times: 

• City Hall Rink of Dreams, 9 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily
• Jim Tubman Chevrolet Rink of Dreams, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on weekends, and 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. on weekdays
• Lansdowne Park Skating Court, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. on weekends, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. on weekdays (hours subject to change)
• Ben Franklin Place Skating Rink, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. on weekends, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. on weekdays (hours subject to change)

Reservations will open on Friday, January 8, at 6 p.m., for residents to book skating times for Saturday and Sunday. Moving forward, reservations can be made up to two days in advance with new spots opening at 6 p.m., daily. A maximum of four skaters can be booked on each reservation.

Those who have made a reservation will be asked to show a copy of their confirmation email upon entry, either on a mobile device or on a printed-out paper. The city says its refrigerated rink openings are weather-dependent. The 25-person on-ice limit is to remain in effect at all times.

The 25-person capacity also applies at sledding hills. 

Residents are encouraged to come back at another time if a rink or hill is at capacity. On-site signage will be posted and rink ambassadors will help to make people aware of the 25-person limit. Additionally, the city says a dedicated team from By-law and Regulatory Services will proactively monitor the areas.

Ottawa is currently under a 28-day provincial shutdown and it has seen a steady increase of cases over the past week, including four straight days where the counts exceeded 100 cases.

In addition to the order, the city is reminding residents that only skating take place on all rinks with no sticks, pucks, balls or other sports equipment permitted on the ice. People are also reminded that masks must be worn in public accessibility areas that are within 15 metres (50 feet) distance of the edge of the ice surface.

While masks are not mandatory when skating, Ottawa Public Health recommends wearing one for added protection.