Citizens' Services
Grab your mittens, jacket and skates! Bring the whole family to the Robson Square Ice Rink this New Year's Eve for a celebration full of family fun.
The Robson Square Ice Rink is proud to host its fourth annual free family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration in downtown Vancouver. This year's festivities will include a magical show for kids, live music, DJs and two free early countdowns with noise makers and party hats - and, of course, free skating.
The rink will be open on New Year's Eve from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Celebrations kick off at 4 p.m., with early countdowns just for the kids at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
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.
Quotes:
Minister of Citizens' Services and Open Government Ben Stewart -
"I encourage you to bring your family and friends down to the Robson Square Ice Rink and join in the festivities this New Year's Eve. Skating at Robson Square is a fun, affordable activity for families of all ages, and a great way for everyone to get a little exercise while having fun together."
Charles Gauthier, executive director, Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association -
"Traditionally, people want to hang out with their friends and neighbours to celebrate the end of one year and ring in the next. There's no better place to do that than at 'centre ice' in downtown Vancouver at Robson Square."
Quick Facts:
- In 2010 and 2011, more than 1,700 people came out to enjoy live music, skating and New Year's countdowns.
- Vancouver's first outdoor public skating rink opened in Robson Square in 1982.
- Last year, more than 60,000 people skated on the rink and more than 5,300 students participated in the school skate program.
- 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.
Learn More:
Audio clip of Minister of Citizens' Services and Open Government Ben Stewart discussing Robson Square:
http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/Minister_Stewart_Robson_Square.mp3
Contact:
Jason Macnaughton
Communications Director
Ministry of Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 387-3134
