Skating and Welland Arenas

• Children 12 years of age and under must wear a CSA-approved helmet. A face cage is recommended.
• Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a responsible person 16 years old or older who must maintain visual contact throughout the skate.
• Bicycle helmets are not permitted.
• Adults are encouraged but not required to wear a CSA-approved helmet.
• Individuals with serious medical conditions should be accompanied by another person knowledgeable about their condition and responsible for their direct supervision.
• The City does not provide or rent skates. The only skate aids permitted on the ice are those provided by the City.

Early skater learning aids

Early learner skate aids are available to borrow free of charge at listed Public Skating events on a first come-first serve basis. Recommended for children ages two and up, skate trainers support the child, encouraging instant success on the ice, improving balance, and fostering proper skating posture.

• ID is required to borrow the skater aids.
• Parent or guardian supervision is required.
• A helmet with a cage is recommended. Helmets are also available to borrow at the sign-in table.

To create a safe area for those learning to skate, an ice bumper is in place during all public skate times.

Specialty assistive sled

Everyone should be able to enjoy the feeling of gliding on the ice in our arenas. Two specialty assistive sleds are available for those unable to skate to safely enjoy the ice with an adult friend or guardian. Each specialty assistive sled comes with:

• custom high back with wrap around sides and chest strap
• adjustable headrest
• adjustable leg support
• telescoping nose
• push handle

This device can be booked free of charge in 90-minute blocks during any of our public skating events. Please refer to the public skating schedule for dates and call 905-735-1700 x4000 to book. The person booking must be 18 years of age or older and provide the name of the person(s) they will assist in using the sled. Those making the booking must be able to safely place and remove any person being pushed, and they must affirm they will remain with the device and individual being assisted at all times.

Rent ice for family gatherings, business and corporate functions, recreational hockey, group skating, and regular ice use. To apply for an ice rental permit, please contact bookings@welland.ca or 905-735-1700 x4000.

The recreation, sport, and culture department administers ice rental permits. Permits must be signed by the person listed on the permit to confirm the booking(s) and understand the facility rules, regulations, and conditions of use. Payment is due at the time of booking.

• Terms and conditions
• View availability online

Ice rental hours

• 6:30 a.m to midnight daily
• Main Arena ice rentals are booked on the hour
• Jack Ballantyne Memorial Arena ice rentals are booked on the half-hour

The permit holder agrees that each hour of the rental will consist of not more than 50 minutes of ice time, with the balance of each hour devoted to ice maintenance.

Rates and fees (2024-2025)

• The prime time rate applies to weekday bookings from 4 p.m. to midnight and all weekend hours. This rate also applies to bookings on holidays, such as Family Day.
• The non-prime time rate applies to weekday bookings from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The ice resurfacing fee is calculated per hour, not per booking.
• All payments returned due to insufficient funds are charged an administration fee.
• The regular season begins mid-September until early April in the Main Arena, and up to the end of April in the Jack Ballantyne Memorial Arena.

All Ages SK8

Skate for fun and exercise. Meet your friends each week at the Welland Main Arena. Helmets are required for children 12 years of age and under for safety reasons. Assistive sleds are available to book for free to be used during the All Ages SK8 (please see information tab). A punch card is required to access this program and can be purchased at the Wellness Community Centre service counter.

• 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
• Every Monday and Wednesday starting Monday, October 7 until Wednesday, March 5
• Exceptions: October 14; December 23, 25, 30; January 1; February 17

Shinny Hockey – 60 Plus

Must have CSA-approved equipment. A changeroom will be provided. Please follow the posted rules for Shinny hockey. A punch card is required to access this program and can be purchased at the Welland Community Centre service counter.

• 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.
• Every Monday and Wednesday starting Monday, October 7 until Wednesday, March 5
• Exceptions: October 14; December 23, 25, 30; January 1; February 17

If boards can’t contain you and you’d rather glide under the open sky while snowflakes dot your toque, the City of Welland has several outdoor rinks to enjoy.

Rinks maintained by City staff

• Chippawa Park pond
• Memorial Park
• St. George Park
• Woodlawn Park bush

Ground rinks maintained by volunteers

* Rinks without volunteers may not be consistently maintained or suitable for skating. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for one of these rinks below, please contact pw@welland.ca or 905-735-1700 x3000.

• Broadway Park *
• Cooks Mills Park
• Elmwood Park
• Glenwood Park
• Graham Avenue Park
• John Deere Park
• Manchester Park
• River Road Park
• Stop 19 Park
• Summerlea Park