Warmer-than-normal temperatures are closing Mississauga’s biggest outdoor skating rink — and other such facilities across the city — earlier than normal this season, the city says.

The skating rink at Celebration Square in Mississauga’s downtown core will close “ahead of schedule” this Saturday (March 7), the City of Mississauga said in a post to social media.

The city also said online that all of its outdoor rinks are closed until next winter.

“The long-range forecast shows sustained above-seasonal temperatures and a significant warming trend beginning this weekend,” city officials said. “These warmer conditions are unfavourable for refrigerated rinks and are expected to cause the ice base to melt, making it difficult to safely continue operations.”

The early rink closures are expected to impact people’s plans with their kids during March break, which runs March 16-20.

“While we normally aim to keep rinks open through March break, the current and forecasted weather will not support it,” the city added. “Thank you to everyone who came out to skate this season.”

Natural ice rinks are used in neighbourhood parks across Mississauga throughout the winter. They’re enjoyed by many people who want to take part in a pickup game of hockey or just go for a casual skate. 

Whether it’s a leisurely skate at Celebration Square, one of the city’s two artificial outdoor ice surfaces, or a pickup game of shinny hockey at any one of the dozens of natural rinks in neighbourhood parks, the ice surfaces are usually ready for skaters by sometime in late December or into January, when the weather is cold enough, and often last beyond the annual March break.

“Natural rinks bring the best of the winter season together — free winter sports, open to all ages, and an ideal opportunity to enjoy staying active with friends and getting to know your neighbours,” the city said earlier.

(Cover photo: City of Mississauga)


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