It has been reported that the Dawson Hamilton Memorial Outdoor Rink will be open for free skating on Family Day, Feb. 19 and other dates in March. Unfortunately, this is not correct information.

The Dawson Hamilton Memorial Outdoor Rink will not be operational for 2024 winter season. At the February 8, 2024 Council meeting Candace McGuigan, Director of Community Services reported that:

The Community Service Department’s initial plan was to set up the outdoor rink at the Cultural Centre before the Christmas break. Unfortunately, the warm temperature forecast during the scheduled setup were not conducive conditions for ice making. The unpredictable weather has resulted in the outdoor rink not being viable for the 2024 season. Staff proposed free public skating to honour the memory of Dawson Hamilton at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena.

The Dawson Hamilton display will be placed in SG Nesbitt Memorial Arena on the ice rink for the following dates:

• Monday, February 19, 2024 (Family Day),10:00 am – 12:00 pm,
• Monday, March 11, 2024 (March break), 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm,
• Friday, March 15, 2024 (March break), 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm.

It is unfortunate the unpredictable weather conditions have impacted the Dawson Hamilton Memorial Outdoor Rink. We hope the community will attend one of the free public skating events noted at the S.G. Memorial Arena. Staff are planning to have the Dawson Hamilton Memorial Outdoor Rink operating for the 2025 Winter season.