The public has until this Saturday to enjoy skating at the Robson Square rink before closing for the 2014-15 season.

This year, over 150,000 visitors have enjoyed events such as live music, photos with Santa, free weddings and renewals on Valentine’s Day, and a big family-friendly New Year’s celebration.

The season began on Dec. 1, 2014, and is a yearly favourite with Vancouver residents and tourists alike. The rink provides a family-friendly place to skate in the heart of downtown Vancouver with skate and helmet rentals.

Robson Square also holds many public events during the season including the Province’s popular schools program. The program offers B.C. schools in grades 4 to 7 a free skating session and lesson during a school day. This year, 105 school groups took advantage of the program with over 6,000 students skating on the ice rink.

Other highlights this year included a series of holiday concerts and events during the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ event, and the New Year’s Eve celebration with over 5,000 people ringing in an early ‘new year’ on Dec. 31.

The 2015-16 ice skating season is expected to begin next fall, weather permitting.

Quotes:

Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Amrik Virk -

“Robson Square is a cultural and community resource for everyone in the Lower Mainland. The rink may be closing until next winter, but the square hosts vibrant and exciting events all year and is a great place to visit as part of the Downtown Vancouver experience.”

Sam Sullivan, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek -

“Skating at Robson Square has become an annual tradition for many families throughout the Lower Mainland. This year was particularly special because, unlike other parts of the country, visitors had the pleasure of participating in an outdoor sport while enjoying a mild, pleasant Vancouver winter. This is one of the many cultural resources that makes our city so unique, and I’m pleased so many continue to take advantage of all it has to offer.”

Quick Facts:

• The Robson Square Ice Rink is Vancouver’s first outdoor public skating rink. It opened 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.
• In the 2014-15 season:
  • 20 different musical acts performed.
  • 30 live trees were decorated for the holidays.
  • 300 photos were taken with Santa.
  • 50 weddings and vow renewals performed on Valentine’s Day at the rink.
  • 105,000 skaters enjoyed the ice.

Learn More:

For information about the ice rink, including the schools program, please visit: www.robsonsquare.com

Media Contacts:

Blair Phelps
Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services
604 889-9726