No skating on skating Oval?
Posted Dec 23, 2011 06:35:04 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held today to officially re-christen the former Canada Games Skating Oval as a permanent addition to the Halifax Common.
Mayor Peter Kelly will preside over the public ceremony at noon today.
Dr. John Gillis, who spearheaded the local campaign to keep the Oval on the Common after the Canada Games ended last year, says it’s been a long time coming.
“I’m really excited, I’m only slightly disappointed I’m not going to be there because I’m away with family for Christmas,” said Dr. John Gillis, head of the Save the Oval campaign. “I’m thrilled that it’s opening and everybody can enjoy it. Absolutely thrilled.”
It’s not clear yet whether skaters will be able to hit the ice for the an inaugural lap, but Coun. Dawn Sloane (Halifax Downtown) says she’s confident the ice will be ready, despite Thursday’s mild temperatures.
“What they have is the chillers underneath,” she said. “The concrete gets cold and keeps it cold. So, even though it might be a little melty on top because of the weather as soon as it gets down to two degrees it will start to firm up again and we will have skating.”
The 400-meter rink was built as a temporary speed skating surface for the 2011 Canada Winter Games.
