“This is just such a great way to get him into sports,” said Christiana Macmillan, as she watches her son Ian playing hockey at the Rockliffe Park Community Rink.

Ian is only seven years old, but he can skate across the rink on his own and handle the puck like an experienced hockey player. Macmillan says her son picked up these skills entirely from practicing at this outdoor community rink.

“There wasn’t tons of opportunities for someone his age to learn hockey,” said Macmillan. “We found skating lessons, but Ian sees hockey on television and he wants to want to join the game.”

Macmillan said she and her husband have been bringing Ian to the Rockliffe Park Community Rink ever since Ian was five.

“My husband showed him how to stickhandle a bit,” said Macmillan. “He picked it up quickly and he’s been getting better from there.”

The Rockliffe Park Community Rink is one of 269 outdoor rinks registered within the city of Ottawa. About half of these rinks have a public change space. 63 outdoor rinks have fieldhouses, 30 have trailers, and 43 are attached to community centres.

The network of outdoor rinks has allowed Ottawans of all ages to learn, practice and recreationally play hockey.

Ryan Zhao is a second year business student at the University of Ottawa. He says he and his friends often come to the Rockliffe Park Community Rink to play friendly pick-up hockey.

“I’m not trying to join any competitive teams, you know?” said Zhao. “But it’s nice to have somewhere we can just play casually. No entry requirements. No pressure.”

Ottawa’s outdoor rinks are largely operated by local volunteers, whose responsibilities range from maintaining ice surfaces to maintaining public change spaces. Maintenance supplies and training are provided to volunteers by the City of Ottawa.

Jonathan Poirier is a retired engineer, but the Rockliffe Park Community Rink gives him a way to keep busy every winter.

“It’s a lot more work than it seems,” said Poirier. “With how much the weather changes, the ice needs to be resurfaced so many times. The fieldhouse needs frequent cleanings. But when I see the smiles on everyone’s faces, it’s all worth it.”

“It’s so much fun playing pick-up here,” said Zhao. “I’m glad there’s people volunteering every winter and willing to help out maintaining it.”

Learn more about Ottawa’s outdoor rinks and related volunteer opportunities on the City of Ottawa website:

https://ottawa.ca/en/recreation-and-parks/facilities-and-rentals/parks-and-green-space/outdoor-rinks