REGINA - Residents of Regina looking to do outdoor skating on Wascana Lake have their opportunity starting this month.
Wascana Centre announced that the Rink on Wascana is now open for the 2023 season.
It is open 11 a.m to 9 p.m. each day at Legislative Landing, and while it may look like an ordinary outdoor rink complete with boards, it's located right on top of Wascana Lake.
Rigorous measures will be taken to check the ice for thickness and to remove the snow so it can be safe to use. The rink area is accompanied by washrooms as well as a warming facility, and tents and fire pits are also going up at the location to keep people warm.
The ice surface is free to use for all members of the public. The ice surface also promises to be a major part of the upcoming Frost Regina festival happening Feb. 3-12. According to organizers, that event includes dogsledding, sleigh rides and also Hockey Night on Wascana featuring players from the Outdoor Hockey League.
“We’re really just encouraging people to come down here and enjoy winter,” said the Provincial Capital Commission's Executive Director Jenna Schroeder.
“I grew up here so I know how cold the winters are, and how you’re just itching to get outside and do things, so that’s really what we want to provide as a event, a space and opportunities for people to come outside and enjoy the beautiful setting of Wascana Centre.”
Schroeder said the Frost Regina festival last year was well received, and had a lot of positive feedback. She admitted the weather was a little “hit and miss - sometimes minus-40, sometimes plus 2 - but that’s part of the beauty of living here in Regina and in Saskatchewan. The weather can be unpredictable, but we do have this beautiful space for people to come down and enjoy.”
