Some wintertime activities can still be observed during the pandemic, however, outdoor public skating will be different this year.
The City of Windsor recently announced that the outdoor ice rink at Lanspeary Lions Park will open on Monday, weather permitting.
Due to COVID-19 protocols, free public skating will only be available for up to 25 participants at a time and reservations must be made in advance.
Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. Reservations for one-hour sessions must be made online, as City officials said telephone registrations will not be taken due to reduced service levels.
Participants can book skating session on Monday for 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.
After December 21, skate times will be available starting at 8 a.m. until 9:30 p.m., from December 22 until January 3, 2021. However, the ice rink will close at 3 p.m. on December 24 and December 31. The ice rink will be closed on December 25 and January 1, 2021.
Skaters will be required to socially distance themselves from others and wear a mask. Helmets are also encouraged.
Participants are also asked to arrive at the rink no more than 10 minutes ahead of their reserved time slot.
City staff will be at the ice rink to conduct pre-screening. Inbetween one hour sessions, 30 minutes will be allotted for staff to clean and smooth the ice before the next session begins. Washrooms will be available at the site but no other facilities will be open.
Charles Clark Square is also expected to open later this month.
However, the City of Windsor posted on Twitter Sunday evening that council members will be asked to reconsider the opening of outdoor ice rinks because of the ongoing pandemic during Monday's meeting.
Windsor City Council will be asked to reconsider approval for opening outdoor ice rinks at Monday's Council meeting, due to the ongoing public health emergency. #YQG
— City of Windsor (@CityWindsorON) December 20, 2020
