Students from Elsie Roy and Lord Roberts elementary schools took to the ice today to officially kick off the skating season at Robson Square.

Visitors can enjoy complimentary public skating, family-friendly events and affordable fun in downtown Vancouver this winter.

Celebrating its eighth consecutive season, the ice rink at Robson Square will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Feb. 14, 2017, weather permitting. Skating is free, with skate and helmet rentals available at the ice rink along with a concession stand serving up hot chocolate and snacks.

Live musical entertainment will be featured nightly from Dec. 13 to 24, to celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas, and on New Year’s Eve. Free skate rentals will be available on Family Day, Feb. 13, 2017.

(flickr.com)

The Province’s popular schools program continues again this year. School groups between grades 4 and 7 have the opportunity to participate in a free skating session during the school day. Last winter, 93 school groups took advantage of the program with over 5,000 students having skated on the ice rink.

Nordstrom is sponsoring the Robson Square Ice Rink for the month of December. Nordstrom will provide Christmas decorations, a sock drive to support Vancouver Covenant House until Dec. 7, and free hot chocolate and kids’ skate rentals Dec. 1 and 25, 2016.

Quotes:

Sam Sullivan, MLA for Vancouver-False Creek –

“Ice skating at Robson Square gives families and students a festive winter experience in Vancouver’s downtown core. With late night ice skating on weekends and family-friendly entertainment throughout the holiday season, the rink provides something for everyone to enjoy.”

Charles Gauthier, president & CEO, Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association –

“Robson Square Ice Rink is a popular seasonal venue that creates an outdoor winter wonderland right here in downtown Vancouver for residents and tourists to enjoy. By providing free activities and entertainment, Robson Square is helping draw people to downtown businesses and create a welcoming atmosphere.”

Chris Wanlass, general manager, Nordstrom –

“We are thrilled to be in our second holiday season here in Vancouver. We love having the Robson Square Ice Rink as our neighbour and feel it is only fitting that we partner with them once again to bring some extra holiday spirit to the city in what we hope becomes an annual tradition. Covenant House has been one of our charity partners since the beginning and we are proud to support them once again, this year through our charity sock drive. We invite everyone to bring a clean pair of socks to the rink before Dec. 7 to help Vancouver’s street youth stay dry and warm.”

(flickr.com)

Quick Facts:

• The Robson Square Ice Rink is Vancouver’s first outdoor public skating rink, originally opened in 1982; it was renovated and reopened in 2009.
• Last winter, more than 152,000 people visited the plaza for ice skating, concerts and other special events.
• Robson Square was designed by Vancouver architect Arthur Erickson. It opened in two phases in 1978 and 1979.

Learn More:

For a calendar of events for the 2016-17 season and information about the schools program, please visit: www.robsonsquare.com