Downtown Vancouver's favourite outdoor ice rink is opening today for the fourth consecutive winter to once again provide skating, public events and affordable family fun for all.

The ice rink at Robson Square is open until the end of February 2013. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with longer hours on Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Skating is free with your own skates. Skate and helmet rentals and a concession stand are available at the rink.

The rink is once again hosting its popular schools group program this year, which means that grades four to seven school groups can sign up for free class skating during a school day. Last winter, the widely popular school skate program saw more than 140 school groups and 5,300 students take to the rink, a 20 per cent increase over the previous year.

Last winter, over 100,000 people visited the plaza for ice skating, concerts and other special events. The Province received international kudos during the 2010 Winter Games for the use of the space, as 1.5 million visitors enjoyed the ice rink, zip line, free entertainment and concerts.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Minister of Citizens' Services and Open Government Ben Stewart -

"The Robson Square Ice Rink has been a huge success over the past few years. Skating at Robson Square is a fun, affordable and healthy activity for families and friends to do together."

Executive director for the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, Charles Gauthier -

"The business community is pleased to welcome the Robson Square Ice Rink back for the 2012 season. It continues to be a welcome addition to downtown and a festive attraction for visitors and the downtown community alike. Unique experiences like skating at Robson Square are those that make downtown such an exciting destination."

Quick Facts:

• Robson Square was designed by Vancouver architect Arthur Erickson. It opened in two phases, in 1978 and 1979, and was completed at a total cost of $139 million.

• Vancouver's first outdoor public skating rink opened in Robson Square in 1982.

• In 2010 and 2011, Robson Square hosted the only free, organized, public activity in Vancouver on New Year's Eve. More than 1,700 people came out to enjoy live music, skating and New Year's countdowns.

Learn More:

For more information about Robson Square's skating rink, please visit: www.robsonsquare.com

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Lara Perzoff
Ministry of Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 387-0172

BACKGROUNDER

Calendar of Events

Robson Square will be filled with family friendly activities all winter, including photos with Santa, 12 days of Christmas Countdown, free concerts, a special DJ series, New Year's Eve celebrations, Family day events, and a Valentine's Day skating competition.

Photos with Santa after the parade
(Dec. 2, 2012)

Robson Square is participating in the Rogers Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 2 by hosting "Photos with Santa" from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday Night DJ Series
(Nov. 30, 2012 - Feb. 22, 2013)

Every Friday night, Robson Square will feature live DJs on the plaza level stage from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. The DJs will bring a high-energy, upbeat atmosphere to the ice rink and skaters - fun for all ages.

Saturday Night Concert Series
(Dec. 1, 2012 - Feb. 23, 2013)

Every Saturday night, there will be live, local entertainment at the skating rink on the lower-plaza-level stage from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be something for everyone, with music from all genres including jazz, ethnic, Indie, DJ top 40 and dance.

12 Days of Christmas
(Dec. 13-24, 2012)

The 12 days of Christmas are a festive time of year and nowhere will it be more publicly celebrated than at Robson Square. There will be carollers, live music and entertainment every evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Christmas Eve, free hot chocolate will be handed out from 5 p.m. to closing at 9 p.m.

Christmas Day
(Dec. 25, 2012)

The skating rink will be open for people to enjoy from noon to 5 p.m.

New Year's Eve
(Dec. 31, 2012)

Once again, the Province will host a family friendly 2013 New Year's celebration. New Year's Eve will be a magical evening with live entertainment, free glow sticks, and noisemakers for kids as we countdown to an early New Year at 8 p.m.

New Year's Day
(Jan. 1, 2013)

On Sunday, Jan. 1, 2013, the rink will be open regular hours for skating, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Family Day
(Feb. 11, 2013)

The government of British Columbia is celebrating B.C.'s newest statutory holiday, Family Day, by hosting a fun-filled Winter Carnival full of events and activities for families of all ages.

Valentine's Day - Ice Dance Competition
(Feb. 14, 2013)

This fun and romantic night will include an amateur ice dance competition for the public to participate in.