downtown windsor ice rink won't open this winter
those itching to lace up their skates in downtown winds...
2 minute read
the skating rink at windsor city hall, shown on tuesday, february 25, 2025, will be landscaped in the spring and open for skating in 2025/26 winter skating season.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
those itching to lace up their skates in downtown windsor will have to wait until next fall.
inclement winter weather and a long wait for refrigeration units have delayed construction on a $15.5-million ice rink immediately north of city hall, which is nearing its seventh month.
“in january and february, between the extreme cold and the snow storms we had, it sort of delayed parts of the outdoor work,” james chacko, executive director of parks, facilities, and recreation, told the star.
although the city had hoped to test the rink out by the end of february or early march, chacko said that won’t happen. however, the space will be ready to go with landscaping for warm weather activities in the spring.
“we feel that we’re on track, and work has continued on other parts of the project over this time. we’re going to be in good shape. we’ll see the space open up fully for spring, and then everything will be in place well in advance for the 2025/26 winter skating season.”
over the past month, chacko said, work has continued on a pavilion west of the ice rink. the building will house the zamboni, ice-making system, water feature equipment, storage, an office, and two public washrooms.
funding for the ice rink received council approval last june, with the mayor breaking a 5-5 split vote to spend $15,455,000 on the project — roughly $6 million more than council previously agreed on for the project.
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two weeks prior, in may, council learned that ice may not be ready in the 2024/25 winter season if a contract with the lowest bidder wasn’t approved by the end of that month. that’s because of a long lead time for key equipment, like lighting and refrigeration, a staff report said.
aware of the potential delay, the council majority still opted to delay its decision on ice rink spending to give residents more time to chime in.
public access to the civic esplanade just north of city hall remains fenced off.
the new amenity space centres around a 26-by-60-metre (85×196 ft) oval-shaped rink with a long island at its centre, creating a skating loop. in warmer months, the island will have a water fountain and light display.
electrical infrastructure is also being included, so the space can be used as an events space when it’s not hosting skaters.
“it’s just another step in the right direction for downtown,” ward 3 coun. renaldo agostino told the star. “when you see a really good infrastructure project that’s going to be there long after i am, it’s nice to know that i was a part of it.
“i can’t wait for it to be open. i can’t wait for people to enjoy it. it’s going to be another one of those things that spurs growth in the downtown.”
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downtown windsor’s former ice rink, charles clark square, was unanimously decommissioned by city council in 2022. at the time, the 26-year-old rink would have needed a $1-million upgrade to re-open, after weather conditions caused brine leaks in its pipe system that were challenging to repair.
a replacement rink was then expected to cost $4 million. that estimate was revised to nearly $9.4 million based on a consultant’s redesign, which added warm season elements, like the water feature, which residents expressed desire for during a public consultation process.
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