Ottawa – Another season of skating on the Rink of Dreams officially took flight today with a flag raising ceremony hosted by Mayor Jim Watson and Councillor Mark Taylor, Chair of Community and Protective Services Committee.
Cyril Leeder, president of Ottawa Senators Sports and Entertainment, and Spartacat, the Ottawa Senators mascot, were also on hand to raise the green flag that flies beside the Rink of Dreams every day the rink is open for public skating.
“The Rink of Dreams has become an integral part of the downtown Ottawa experience, for visitors and Ottawa residents alike,” said Mayor Watson. “Through this excellent partnership with the Ottawa Senators Foundation, we are making City Hall more of a people place.”
More than 59,000 people skated on the Rink of Dreams in the 2012-2013 skating season during its 120 skating days. The rink hosted events such as the Mayor’s Christmas party, a Family Day skating party, a New Year’s Eve Hogmanay party with the Ottawa Scottish Society and Winterlude activities. More of the same is expected in 2013-2014.
“It’s not unusual to see this rink filled with skaters at any time of day, morning noon or night,” said Councillor Taylor. “Families, workers on their lunch hour or people out for a fun evening downtown are all choosing to visit City Hall and the Rink of Dreams.”
Ottawa residents are reminded that they can warm up inside Ottawa City Hall by visiting one of three exhibits, all of which are free of charge:
- Barbara Ann Scott Gallery
- Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame
- City Hall Art Gallery
The Rink of Dreams first opened January 25, 2012. It was installed at Marion Dewar Plaza in a partnership between the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Senators Foundation as part of the foundation’s Sens Recreational Investments in Neighbourhood Communities (RINC) program.
It operates annually from November to March seven days a week and serves as a community space during the spring and summer months. The City works closely with the National Capital Commission (NCC) and other organizers to complement the many festivals and events in the downtown core.
More information about the Rink of Dreams and special events is available at ottawa.ca.
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