Melting Challenges for Toronto Waterfront Skating Rinks

Toronto’s waterfront boasts some of the most iconic outdoor skating rinks, drawing residents and visitors alike for winter activities. However, fluctuating temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns have created significant challenges for these rinks in recent years. Among the most affected are The Bentway, The Harbourfront Centre, and the city-run Sherbourne Commons.

The Bentway Skating Trail

The Bentway, a unique skating trail nestled under the Gardiner Expressway, has faced numerous hurdles in maintaining ice quality this season. Michael Clarke, Facilities Manager at The Bentway, shared insights into their struggles: “Later nights and earlier morning shifts to be able to build enough ice to sustain through the warm spells. Luckily, we have not had much sunshine which translates to an increase in UV light and radiant heat and accelerates the warming/melting of the ice.”

Unpredictable weather has also impacted attendance. Clarke noted, “Our opening weekend was likely affected by the sudden drop in temperatures as we saw attendance pick up when temperatures returned closer to the seasonal average. During warm spells, we do not do resurfacing as often and end up just monitoring ice quality, depth, and overall patron safety.”

To combat frequent thawing, Clarke explained, “We pack snow on the edges to help insulate and buy us extra time through a warm day. Other than that, there isn’t much anyone can do other than closely monitor weather and ice quality/quantity and be prepared to close skating when necessary.” However, these efforts come at a cost: “Warmer weather means a significant increase in hydro usage and billing as the refrigeration is working overtime to retain the ice.”

Harbourfront Centre

The Harbourfront Centre rink, another beloved spot near the waterfront, has also struggled with weather-related closures. Unfortunately, representatives did not provide specific comments, but its challenges mirror those faced by other outdoor rinks in the city. Frequent closures during warm spells have undoubtedly affected operations and attendance.

City of Toronto Artificial Ice Rinks

The City of Toronto has implemented refrigeration systems for its artificial ice rinks (AIRs) to mitigate the impact of fluctuating temperatures. However, even these advanced systems have limitations. According to the City, “Outdoor ice rinks are closed when warm weather conditions continue over a period of time, which does not allow for their artificial ice surfaces to be sustained. The refrigeration system cools the pad so ice can be built and maintained at temperatures up to about 5 or 6 degrees, depending on other weather factors (sun, rain, snow).”

Residents and visitors are encouraged to check the City’s service alerts webpage for updates on rink statuses.

Public Perspectives

Longtime skater Dimitrios James reflected on the enduring challenges of outdoor skating: “The weather has always been unpredictable for outdoor hockey and skating. Been skating outdoors for over 30 years.” Meanwhile, Barfly_55 lamented the broader climate changes impacting winter traditions: “It’s unfortunate that the climate in Canada has changed drastically in the past 20 years. It ruins outdoor festivities for kids, adults, etc. We never had rain in winter, just terrible.”

The Future of Waterfront Rinks

The challenges faced by waterfront skating rinks underscore the impact of climate variability on winter activities. Facilities like The Bentway and the Harbourfront Centre continue to adapt with creative strategies and increased resource usage, but the rising costs and environmental implications raise concerns about long-term sustainability.

The skating rink at Harbourfront Centre closed on the opening day of Harbourfront's Winterfest