Citizens' Services
It is the most wonderful time of the year - the Robson Square Ice Rink officially opens today to provide public skating, family friendly events and affordable fun for all.
Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver at Robson Square, the ice rink will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with longer hours on Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., until the end of February 2014. Skate, helmet rentals and a concession stand are available at the ice rink. Skating is free with your own skates.
Also the ice rink will host its popular schools program for grades four through seven again this year. This program offers teachers the opportunity to take their classes for free skating during a school day. Last winter, this popular program had 143 school groups participate and 5,050 students skate on the ice rink.
Last winter, more than 82,000 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.
Quotes:
Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services Andrew Wilkinson -
"Ice skating at Robson Square Ice Rink is a fun and affordable way to enjoy the festive season with your family."
"This ice rink offers a unique experience for those in downtown Vancouver over the holiday season, and you never know one of the young faces skating at the rink may become the next Olympic figure skater or Vancouver Canuck."
President and CEO Charles Gauthier, Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association -
"Robson Square is a unique year-round attraction for visitors and tourists alike in downtown Vancouver, but winter with the ice rink is a special time of year. We're grateful to the Province for being such an active partner in animating Vancouver's 'centre ice', in particular for families."
(flickr.com) Quick Facts:
- The Robson Square Ice Rink is Vancouver's first outdoor public skating rink. It opened in Robson Square in 1982.
- 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:
Learn more about the ice rink and further details on the school skating program: www.robsonsquare.com
A backgrounder follows.
Media Contact:
Melody Wey
Communications Manager
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services
250 508-5030
BACKGROUNDER
Calendar of Events 2013-2014 Season
Robson Square will be filled with family friendly activities all winter, including photos with Santa, 12 days of Christmas Countdown, New Year's Eve celebrations, Family Day, and Valentine's Day.
Photos with Santa after the parade (Dec. 1, 2013)
Robson Square is participating in the 10th annual Rogers Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 1 by hosting "Photos with Santa" from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: www.rogerssantaclausparade.com
12 Days of Christmas (Dec. 13 - 24, 2013)
There will be carollers, live music and entertainment every evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season with a skate in winter wonderland.
Christmas Day (Dec. 25, 2013)
The skating rink will be open for people to enjoy from noon to 5 p.m.
New Year's Eve (Dec. 31, 2013)
Once again, the Province will host a family friendly 2014 New Year's celebration. New Year's Eve will be an evening filled with live entertainment, free glow sticks, and noisemakers for kids. The ice rink will be open until 11 p.m.
New Year's Day (Jan. 1, 2014)
On Sunday, Jan. 1, 2014, the rink will be open regular hours for skating, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Family Day (Feb. 10, 2014)
To celebrate Family Day, Robson Square will have free skate rentals all day.
For more information please visit: www.robsonsquare.com
Media Contact:
Melody Wey
Communications Manager
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services
250 508-5030
