Torontonians get ‘that Christmas spirit’ when outdoor public ice skating rinks open in the city.
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Elvis Elle couldn’t hold back her excitement as she talked about being able to put on her skates and go ice skating.
“I love skating. It’s really fun. I’m so happy to be back on the ice,” the 13-year-old told CBC Toronto.
“It definitely gives off a Christmas atmosphere,” Eloise added.
On Saturday, Toronto opened 38 outdoor ice rinks to skaters across the city, announcing on Twitter, “It’s a crazy time to skate.”
Speaking in Greenwood Park, Mayor John Tory said ice skating is “a beloved Canadian tradition” and even people who didn’t grow up in Canada are taking the opportunity to get on the ice.
“It’s an interesting day every year, certainly during the mayor’s time,” he said.
“Even though there are some people who don’t like winter, a lot of people do. Or at least if they don’t like it, they get to take advantage of all the different things we do in the winter. are doing to make winter a nice, more pleasant time of the year.”
Elol’s mother, Amelie Lefebvre, was walking the dog when she saw an ice skating rink open. She went back home and found Elvis and his nine-year-old sister Rosie.
“It’s great because the rinks and the pool in town, like, that’s one of the things that keeps us active and it’s been great,” Lefevvre said.
“It really fits the city so well to be able to have weekend family activities that are easy to get to — free. All that makes such a difference.”
Emma Richardson said she brought her daughters Zoe and Leah Bosch to the park to look for pine cones when they found the skating rink open.
“So I thought, you know what, we’re going to go back. We’re going to get our skates out. We’ll see if they fit,” Richardson said.
Richardson says that while he may have to “trade them in” very quickly, he fits. She says the girls have been successful in ice climbing, calling the activity a great way to have fun and exercise.
“I think that’s one of the things that makes Toronto so special, that we have so many green spaces like this, hopefully a green belt for a long time to come,” Richardson said.
“Those kinds of things like skating, recreational activity, it’s, like, irreplaceable. It’s a priceless thing for our kids.”
An additional 14 outdoor ice rinks will open Dec. 3, Torrey said. They will be open for free, until March, daily from 10am to 10pm.
