35 Toronto outdoor skating rinks to close this weekend

TORONTO – Despite the frigid cold temperatures, 35 Toronto outdoor skating rinks are slated to close this weekend.

The city normally closes some rinks in late February and keep others open until mid to late March to extend the skating season.

“This is done with consideration of the demand for skating (which falls off as spring approaches), our budget and the challenges of maintaining solid ice as temperatures rise and the sun gets stronger in February and March,” the city states on its website.

Decisions on which rinks open and close are based on geographic location, usage patterns and the ability to maintain solid ice.

Last year, the operation of 11 outdoor skating rinks were extended thanks to help from corporate sponsors.

Here is a list of rinks slated to close on Feb. 22. Below that is a list of rinks to close on March 22.

Rinks Closing Feb. 22

Alexandra Park/Harry Gairey
Buttonwood Park
Campbell Ave. Playground
Christie Pits
Giovanni Caboto
High Park
Humber Valley Rink
Jimmie Simpson Park
Joseph Bannon Park
Lambton-Kingsway Rink
Ledbury Park
Monarch Park
North Toronto Memorial CRC/Eglinton Park
Otter Creek Centre
Prince of Wales Rink
Queensway Rink
Ramsden Park
Regent Park (North)
Rivercrest Rink
Riverdale Park East
Rosedale Park
Royalcrest Rink
Ryerson Community Park
Sherbourne Common
Sir Adam Beck Rink
Summerlea Rink
Trinity Bellwoods Park
Valleyfield Park
Van Horne Park/Pleasantview Rink
Wallace Emerson Park
Wedgewood Park
West Deane Park/Martingrove
Westgrove Rink
Westway Outdoor Rink
Withrow Park

Rinks Closing March 22

Broadlands CC
Cedarvale Park
Colonel Sam Smith Park
Dieppe Park
Dufferin Grove Park
Glen Long CC
Greenwood Park
Hodgson Public School Grounds
Irving W Chapley CC
Kew Gardens
Mel Lastman Square
Nathan Phillips Square
Regent Park (South Park)
Rennie Park
Scarborough Civic Centre/Albert Campbell
Sunnydale Acres Rink
West Mall Rink