Barrie has added more safety measures to manage capacity limits at two outdoor ice rinks.
The City says it will help keep skaters safe at both the Circle at the Centre, located at 70 Collier Street and the Centennial Park Community Ice Rink at 95 Lakeshore Drive. Both of the rinks are open until 8 pm today (New Year’s Eve).
As more skaters than usual are expected to use the outdoor rinks, the City has added additional measures, effective immediately:
• Skating will operate on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• If the rink is at capacity (15 skaters maximum on the ice at one time), there will be a 30-minute limit for skating.
• If the rink is under capacity, skaters can skate as long as they want within the hours of operation.
• Fencing will be installed at the Circle at the Centre rink. Fencing is already in place at Centennial. Staff will monitor the entry and exit gates to ensure capacity limits are maintained.
After New Years Eve, both rinks will be open from 10 am to 10 pm daily, weather permitting.
No hockey, broomball, ringette or other type of scrimmage activity is allowed on rinks for the 2020/21 season.
Change rooms and washrooms will not be open.
If you use the outdoor skating rinks this holiday season, the City reminds you to follow the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s recommendations to avoid crowds and maintain a two-metre distance from others.
The City also asks residents to consider wearing a mask or face covering while using an ice surface if distancing can’t be maintained.
For more information on the City’s outdoor rinks, visit barrie.ca/rinks.