Additional rinks at Mill Pond and Lake Wilcox expected to open February 5

RICHMOND HILL – The City of Richmond Hill is offering residents more to do this winter by expanding its outdoor skating opportunities. Ice rinks at Mill Pond and Lake Wilcox are expected to open on Friday, February 5 (pending weather and ice conditions). This is in addition to Richmond Green Skate Trail, which opened in December.

To help protect the community and adhere to provincial COVID-19 restrictions:

• Residents must pre-register in advance using their ActiveRH account. The cost is free and online registration opens Thursday, February 4 at 9 a.m.
• Reservations are available to Richmond Hill residents only and limited to one time slot per day
• New time slots will be released daily at 9 a.m. for the next day
• Capacity is limited to 25 people per skate
• Skate times are limited to 45-minutes
• Face masks or coverings are mandatory off the ice, such as in line ups, washrooms and change areas and strongly recommended on the ice
• Heated washrooms will be open (skate trail and Mill Pond only). A portable washroom will be available at Lake Wilcox
• Change rooms and lockers will not be available
• Hockey/shinny will not be permitted

Demand for outdoor skating is high and we expect skate times to go quickly. Staff review all bookings and withdrawals/cancellations are released back onto the system. Residents are encouraged to check back often for available skate times.

The City is asking residents to please stay off the ice while staff prepare the rinks for opening day. Residents are further reminded not to use neighbourhood stormwater ponds for skating or any other recreational activity, as the ice/water is not a safe place to play.

Residents can visit and subscribe to RichmondHill.ca/OutdoorSkating for updates.

Help keep our community safe

You can help stop the spread of COVID-19 by doing the following:

• Stay home if you’re sick, even with mild symptoms
• Maintain physical distancing of at least two metres from others
• Wash your hands thoroughly and often
• Download the COVID Alert app

Updates and information on the City’s response to COVID-19, including a complete list of what’s open and closed, is available online at RichmondHill.ca/COVID19.

MEDIA CONTACT
Ash O’Malley, Communications Advisor
ash.omalley@richmondhill.ca