Public Skating

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For guidelines and conditions of use during COVID-19, please visit our Return to Play page for more information.

We have recreation ice time available in three NHL sized arenas:

Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre
Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre (J.D. McArthur Arena)

From April until the end of August, there is only one ice pad available (Rink A / West Rink at the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre).

Both of these facilities are Nut-Aware Facilities. More information about the City's Anaphylaxis Policy and what Nut-Aware means can be found on the Minor Sports page.

Please note that the facilities are closed on Christmas Day (December 25th) and New Year's Day (January 1st).

Harrison Park Good Cheer Outdoor Rink
The Harrison Park Good Cheer Outdoor Rink is open daily, from sunrise to 10:00 p.m. H.O.S.E. City staff would like to remind the public of the H.O.S.E. rule - Hockey on Odd days, Skating on Even days. Please respect the rules and your fellow users for the safety and enjoyment of everyone. HOCKEY on ODD calendar days. SKATING on EVEN calendar days. The City requires that appropriate protective equipment is worn when using the outdoor rink. Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult. People are encouraged to follow the City of Owen Sound on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates when the rink is closed due to mild weather. The City is asking users to adhere to the following Conditions of Use to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Any user who is not able to comply with conditions of use posted at the site will not be permitted to use the facility. There are no exceptions, warnings or other notice required for a user to have their facility access revoked. If you don't feel well, please stay home. Physical Distancing: Maximum of 25 people on the ice surface at any time. Rink use is on a first come first serve basis Shinny is permitted on odd calendar days provided participants maintain 2 metres (6 feet) physical distancing; it is the responsibility of the user to ensure 2 metres (6 feet) physical distancing is maintained. All users must use the designated entrance and exit areas. All users within the fenced area are included in the 25 person total. Users must adhere to physical distancing measures in effect as directed by the Province of Ontario and Grey Bruce Public Health, including when entering/exiting the rink area, putting on and removing equipment, and when using the ice surface. Hygiene: Face coverings are strongly recommended while using the ice rink. All users are expected to practice hand hygiene before and after using the facility. Public washrooms with handwashing facilities are available at the exterior of the Harrison Park Inn, directly east of the Good Cheer Rink. Sharing of equipment between households is not permitted. Training and Education: Physical distancing and hygiene signage posted at entrances, exits, and around the facility. Users must adhere to posted conditions of rink use. Any user who is not able to comply with conditions of use posted at the site will not be permitted to use the facility. There are no exceptions, warnings or other notice required for a user to have their facility access revoked. Compliance: All current public health recommendations are to be followed. City staff will monitor facility use and report compliance to public health officials as deemed necessary.
Free Public Skating - All Ages
The following FREE public skating times are offered at the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre, East Pad, from Wednesday, February 24 until Wednesday, June 30, 2021: Wednesdays from 12:00pm - 1:00pm Fridays from 1:00pm - 2:30pm Pre-registration* for public skating is MANDATORY. You can pre-register ONLINE or by contacting Andy O'Leary, Facilities Booking Coordinator, by phone at 519-376-4440 ext. 1255 or by email at aoleary@owensound.ca. The City is asking users to adhere to the following Conditions of Use to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic: Maximum of 20 people on the ice surface. Registration is on a first come first serve basis. Arrive no earlier than 15 minutes prior to skating time. Enter through the single, man door off 10th Street East. Staff will greet participants at the entrance to let them into the building. All participants are required to screen upon entry. Masks are mandatory when entering the building and in the dressing room but can be removed while on the ice. Users must adhere to physical distancing measures in effect as directed by the Province of Ontario and Grey Bruce Public Health, including when entering/exiting the rink area, putting on and removing equipment, and when using the ice surface. When your skating time is done, exit through the YMCA doors off 10th Street East. *Ice Pad for Public Skating subject to change
Public Skating Rules
No food or drinks are allowed on the ice surface No horseplay or games Skate only as fast as the general flow of skaters No figure skating manoeuvers, with the exception of during the Figure Skating Shinney No balls, pucks, chairs, pylons, strollers, sticks or any other item which might interfere with the safety of any skater while on the ice surface Skating aids are allowed on the ice surface Do not carry children on the ice surface Skate in the same direction as all skaters Listen and adhere to the Skate Patrol at all times Use of a helmet is strongly recommended Those with little or no skating experience should stay in the centre ice area

Harrison Park Good Cheer Outdoor Rink

The Harrison Park Good Cheer Outdoor Rink is open daily, from sunrise to 10:00 p.m.

H.O.S.E.

City staff would like to remind the public of the H.O.S.E. rule - Hockey on Odd days, Skating on Even days. Please respect the rules and your fellow users for the safety and enjoyment of everyone.
HOCKEY on
ODD calendar days.
SKATING on
EVEN calendar days.

The City requires that appropriate protective equipment is worn when using the outdoor rink. Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult.

People are encouraged to follow the City of Owen Sound on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates when the rink is closed due to mild weather.

The City is asking users to adhere to the following Conditions of Use to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Any user who is not able to comply with conditions of use posted at the site will not be permitted to use the facility. There are no exceptions, warnings or other notice required for a user to have their facility access revoked. If you don't feel well, please stay home.

Physical Distancing:

Maximum of 25 people on the ice surface at any time.
Rink use is on a first come first serve basis
Shinny is permitted on odd calendar days provided participants maintain 2 metres (6 feet) physical distancing; it is the responsibility of the user to ensure 2 metres (6 feet) physical distancing is maintained.
All users must use the designated entrance and exit areas.
All users within the fenced area are included in the 25 person total.
Users must adhere to physical distancing measures in effect as directed by the Province of Ontario and Grey Bruce Public Health, including when entering/exiting the rink area, putting on and removing equipment, and when using the ice surface.

Hygiene:

Face coverings are strongly recommended while using the ice rink.
All users are expected to practice hand hygiene before and after using the facility.
Public washrooms with handwashing facilities are available at the exterior of the Harrison Park Inn, directly east of the Good Cheer Rink.
Sharing of equipment between households is not permitted.

Training and Education:

Physical distancing and hygiene signage posted at entrances, exits, and around the facility.
Users must adhere to posted conditions of rink use.
Any user who is not able to comply with conditions of use posted at the site will not be permitted to use the facility. There are no exceptions, warnings or other notice required for a user to have their facility access revoked.

Compliance:

All current public health recommendations are to be followed.
City staff will monitor facility use and report compliance to public health officials as deemed necessary.

Free Public Skating - All Ages

The following FREE public skating times are offered at the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre, *East Pad, from Wednesday, February 24 until Wednesday, June 30, 2021:

Wednesdays from 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Fridays from 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Pre-registration for public skating is MANDATORY. You can pre-register ONLINE or by contacting Andy O'Leary, Facilities Booking Coordinator, by phone at 519-376-4440 ext. 1255 or by email at aoleary@owensound.ca.

The City is asking users to adhere to the following Conditions of Use to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic:

Maximum of 20 people on the ice surface.
Registration is on a first come first serve basis.
Arrive no earlier than 15 minutes prior to skating time.
Enter through the single, man door off 10th Street East.
Staff will greet participants at the entrance to let them into the building.
All participants are required to screen upon entry.
Masks are mandatory when entering the building and in the dressing room but can be removed while on the ice.
Users must adhere to physical distancing measures in effect as directed by the Province of Ontario and Grey Bruce Public Health, including when entering/exiting the rink area, putting on and removing equipment, and when using the ice surface.
When your skating time is done, exit through the YMCA doors off 10th Street East.

*Ice Pad for Public Skating subject to change

Public Skating Rules

No food or drinks are allowed on the ice surface
No horseplay or games
Skate only as fast as the general flow of skaters
No figure skating manoeuvers, with the exception of during the Figure Skating Shinney
No balls, pucks, chairs, pylons, strollers, sticks or any other item which might interfere with the safety of any skater while on the ice surface
Skating aids are allowed on the ice surface
Do not carry children on the ice surface
Skate in the same direction as all skaters
Listen and adhere to the Skate Patrol at all times
Use of a helmet is strongly recommended
Those with little or no skating experience should stay in the centre ice area