Skating

• Residents wanting to register for skating can do so, no more than 25 hours before the program begins.
• Health screening is required before entering the rink. Screening can be completed at burlington.ca/screening.
• To cancel your booking please email liveandplay@burlington.ca.
• Spot will be forfeited if customers have not arrived 15 minutes into skate.

Registration will be for a 1-hour time slot: 

• Skate 1 - 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
• Skate 2 - 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.
• Skate 3 - 11 to noon
• Skate 4 - 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
• Skate 5 - 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
• Skate 6 - 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.
• Skate 7 – 4 to 5 p.m.

• Make sure you have completed the screening prior to showing up and be prepared to show your completed screening. Screening can be completed at burlington.ca/screening.
• Dress warm! You will be outdoors.
• There is no washroom facility or benches on-site. Limited outside skate tying area available. Don’t forget your skate guards if tying skates in your car.
• Please arrive no earlier than 5 minutes prior to your start time to put on your skates.
• Upon arrival, proceed to the entrance. If you are waiting in line you will be required to wear a mask. A staff person will be there to ensure you have pre-registered and completed the screening.
• Follow appropriate signage and arrows to the entrance.
• Once your skate is over, please proceed to the designated exit. You will have 5 minutes to vacate the area.

• Ensure you maintain a 2-meter physical distance from others and while skating.
• Face masks are required if you are unable to maintain a 2-meter physical distance and in the line-up. We recommend residents to wear a face mask during their visit.
• An adult must be present on location for children under the age of 10 at all times.
• Children 6 years and under must wear CSA approved hockey helmets.
• Skates must be worn on the rink surface at all times. No boots or shoes allowed.
• Please take your garbage with you.
• No pets, food or drink on the rink surface.
• No chairs, strollers or sporting equipment are allowed on the rink surface.
• Organized hockey, the use of sticks/pucks and figure skating maneuvers are prohibited.
• The City of Burlington is not responsible for any injuries, deaths, damages, or property loss.
• In case of emergency, call 911.

Can a resident walk-in and skate?

No, residents are asked to register ahead before coming to a skate.

Why do I need to register if it’s free?

We have a limited number of skating opportunities. To allow as many residents to enjoy skating and manage capacity, we asked that everyone register themselves or family members coming for a skate.

Why is the artificial rink allowed to open?

According to the Provincial stay at home regulations, outdoor activities such as skating, hiking and other outdoor activities are exempt as exercise is considered essential.

Leaving your home for exercise is allowed.

Under the current regulations, the Rotary Centennial Pond, toboggan hills and neighbourhood rinks are allowed to be open. These activities are considered outdoor exercise and is exempt from the stay at home regulations as exercise is an essential part of both physical and mental health.

Please continue to use caution including wearing a face covering, frequent hand washing and keeping 2 metres from anyone not within you household.

I cannot make it to the skating time that I booked. How do I cancel?

We encourage residents who want to cancel to reach out to customer service as soon as possible by emailing liveandplay@burlington.ca. This will allow the spots to open up for others to enjoy. Make sure to include as much detail as possible, e.g. name(s) of all participants.

I’ve registered, what do I need to do?

Residents can arrive 5 minutes prior and will have 5 minutes after skate to prepare before leaving. Come dressed for skating. You will be outdoors! Tie your laces up in your car, so don't forget your skate guards as there are no benches at the rink. Once your skate is over, we asked that you vacate the area and follow the exit sign.

Is there any washroom facility at this park?

There is no washroom facility at this location/park.

I never seem to get a spot as the skate fills up every time I tried to register online. Why?

Skates are popular in the winter months, and we understand the frustration of not getting a spot. During the lockdown, there is a limited capacity per skate to ensure we are following health regulations to minimize the virus's spread and ensure participants' and staff's safety.

Who can I contact about suggestions or improvements to your registration system, e.g. spots for family/party, waitlist etc.? I also have a comment, who can I talk to?

Thank you for your suggestions. Residents can email liveandplay@burlington.ca, and the Skate team will investigate and implement improvements where possible.

• Registration is required 25 hours ahead. Non-resident may register 2 hours prior.
• Screening is required for those that have registered for skating at the pond. Please complete screening at burlington.ca/screening.
• To learn about what to expect when skating, view our facility orientation video at visit burlington.ca/recsafety.
• To cancel your booking please email liveandplay@burlington.ca.
• Spot will be forfeited if customers have not arrived 15 minutes into skate.

Registration will be for a 1-hour time slot: 

• Skate 1 – 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., (available on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday)
• Skate 2 - 10 to 11 a.m.
• Skate 3 - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Skate 4 – 1 to 2 p.m.
• Skate 5 - 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Skate 6 – 4 to 5 p.m.
• Skate 7 - 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• Skate 8 - 7 to 8 p.m.
• Skate 9 - 8:30 to 10 p.m.

Even though you have registered for skate, ice may not be available to skate especially during uncertain weather conditions.

Before leaving your home, call hotline, 905-335-7738, ext. 8587 or visit burlington.ca/pond.

• Please arrive no earlier than 10 minutes prior to your start time to put on your skates. 
• When you arrive, follow appropriate signage and arrows to the outdoor skate tying area. There is no indoor skate tying area available.
• Make sure you have completed the screening prior to showing up and be prepared to show your completed screening. Screening can be completed at burlington.ca/screening.
• When you are ready to skate, proceed to the entrance. If you are waiting in line you will be required to wear a mask. A staff person will be there to ensure you have pre-registered and completed the screening. You are now ready to enjoy your skate.
• Once your skate is over, please proceed to the designated exit, go back to the same bench you put your skates on. You will have 10 minutes to leave the area so that staff can clean and disinfect prior to the next skating session.

• Ensure you maintain 2-meter physical distance from others and while skating.
• Face masks are required if you are unable to maintain a 2-meter physical distance, while lining up or going into the washroom at Spencer’s at the Waterfront building.
• Washrooms are available in the lower levels of Spencer’s. The washroom is open to one person at a time. 
• Skate aids are available to borrow and must be returned to their designated area and will be sanitized afterwards following the posted guidelines.
• Skate lending is not available at this time.

• Skate during designated hours only.
• Wear skates (no boots or shoes).
• Dress warm. You will be outdoors!
• Wheelchair and ice sledge users are welcome (bring your own equipment). 
• Children 6 years and under must wear CSA approved hockey helmets. Helmets are strongly recommended for the safety of all children and adults.
• Children under the age of 10 must be supervised.
• No food, drink, chairs, strollers or sporting equipment are allowed on the ice.
• Don’t drink and skate. Alcohol is not permitted. Zero Tolerance policy is in effect.
• Organized hockey, the use of sticks/pucks and figure skating maneuvers are prohibited.
• All pets are prohibited from being on the ice surface.
• The City of Burlington is not responsible for any injuries, deaths, damages or loss of property.