Skaters flocked to the Emera Oval on the Halifax Common for opening day Thursday.
Greg Milton was one of the first skaters to hit the ice during the first public skate at 7 a.m.
“I’ve been waiting for this for quite a few months now. I like skating here and it’s the first day of the season. I’m ready to go,” said Milton.
The ice will be open for free daily public skates throughout the winter, and will once again offer free skating lessons for all ages.
The oval has become a winter favourite of Haligonians. According to the city, the oval attracted more that 120,000 skaters during the 2015-16 winter season.
“It’s a beautiful way to get exercise. It’s just perfect recreation area for the city,” said skater Joe Fougere.
At approximately 55,000 square feet of ice – or the same as three NHL hockey rinks – the Emera Oval has the largest outdoor, artificially-refrigerated, ice surface east of Quebec City and can accommodate up to 1,500 skaters at a time.
The Oval will also play host to the 2017 Atlantic Long Track Speed Skating Championships early next year.