Skating

The City of London is offering public skating programs at Argyle Arena, Bostwick Arena, Carling Arena, Earl Nichols Arena, Kinsmen Arena, Lambeth Arena, Medway Arena and Stronach Arena. Public skating programs have been modified to follow guidelines and health precautions, including physical distancing and group size restrictions. Registration and skating schedules are available at Play Your Way online.

London has 11 indoor ice pads and two outdoor ice pads. Most indoor ice pads are available for rent throughout the year.

All rinks have free parking. Check our cancellations page to make sure the ice pads are operating as usual.

Holiday and PD day skates

Additional public skate hours for Christmas, March Break and PD Days will be available at selected arenas and may pre-empt regularly scheduled skates.

Indoor skating

London has 11 indoor ice pads. Most are available for rent throughout the year.

All rinks have free parking. The City’s arenas do not accept debit or credit for admission, so please bring cash. Check the cancellations page to make sure the ice pads are operating as usual.

Learn more about the City's indoor rinks

Winter rentals are available from September to the end of March for recreational skating, skating lessons, figure skating, ringette and hockey.

Summer use of the concrete floor surfaces may include ball hockey, lacrosse and other team sports. Dry pad rentals are available from April to August at a number of arenas.

Most arenas feature snack bars, offering a limited selection of hot and cold food and beverage items. Earl Nichols Recreation Centre, Bostwick Community Centre, Stronach Community Recreation Centre, Medway Community Centre, Kinsmen Recreation Centre and Lambeth Community Centre arenas have multipurpose activity rooms that are suitable for small receptions and tournament meeting areas. All arenas are equipped with a sound system.

Staff at individual arenas are not able to book ice time or receive payment for any rentals. Please call 519-661-5575 during regular business hours to discuss ice hours and book a rental.

Indoor rink locations

Indoor rinks are located at the following community centres and arenas:

Skating lessons

The City of London offers a variety of learn to skate opportunities.

Adult lessons

It's never too late too skate! This program teaches basic skating fundamentals while enhancing a healthy and active lifestyle. Participants advance at their own pace in a relaxed atmosphere with a fully certified coach.

*CSA approved helmets are mandatory. Visit our registration page for information related to financial assistance.

Children/youth lessons

London's Community Service Department offers a wonderful children’s ‘Learn to Skate’ program, which is designed to offer children 4 years of age and older the opportunity to learn to skate in a fun learning environment. This program will give your child the opportunity to learn through interactive learning strategies that will teach basic skating techniques. Lesson length is 45 minutes. There are three levels with the skate program.

*CSA approved helmets are mandatory. Please indicate your child’s badge level on the registration form. Visit the registration page for information related to financial assistance.

Parent/tot skate lessons

Free to adults (18 or older) to spend quality time with pre-schoolers, 5 and under, in a safe, quiet environment.

A preschool program designed to teach young skaters from 3 to 5 years of age how to skate without the assistance of a parent or caregiver. This interactive program will teach your young tot to skate by participating in creative themed activities while focusing on fun and continuous movement. Colouring sheets and incentive stickers are awarded each week for skater's efforts. Parents must be present.

*CSA approved helmets for both child and adult are mandatory. Class is limited to 15 participants. Visit our registration page for information related to financial assistance.

Public skating

The City of London offers a variety of public skating opportunities. Children 5 and under must wear a CSA approved helmet for all public skating programs and a full-face cage is recommended. Skates are required for all programs. One sledge is available at all arenas for public use.

Skating programs will be limited to 12 skaters on each rink to allow for physical distancing. Participants can register for a program up to seven days in advance of the program date. While masks or face coverings are not required while on the ice, they must be worn throughout the building. Skaters and spectators must also maintain two-metre physical distancing from others outside of their household. Dressing rooms will be open, but skaters are encouraged to arrive dressed to skate. Access to the arena and dressing rooms will be allowed 15 minutes prior to skate times. Use of the player benches is restricted to the skaters only – while maintaining physical distancing.

Each participant registered for a public skating session is required to complete the City of London Health Assessment prior to entering the arena. Please print off the assessment form and bring it with you to the arena for your session.

COVID-19 Health Assessment Form

Adult stick and puck (15 years and older)

Adults can bring their stick and puck to improve their shot and stickhandling.

This is an unstructured ice time. No private programs are permitted. Organized hockey games, slap shots and structured practices are not permitted. No aggressive play is permitted.

All participants are required to wear a full-caged CSA approved helmet. The maximum number of participants on the ice is 30 people.

Adult stick and puck schedule

Monday

Nichols Arena – 12:00 - 12:50 p.m.

Friday

Carling Arena - 3:30 - 4:20 p.m.
Bostwick Arena - 3:30 - 4:20 p.m.

Children/youth stick and puck (5 – 15 years old)

Parents can come out with their children to practice stickhandling and improve their shots. An adult must accompany children on the ice.

This is an unstructured ice time. No private programs are permitted. Organized hockey games, slap shots and structured practices are not permitted. No aggressive play is permitted.

All participants are required to wear a full-caged CSA approved helmet.

Children/youth stick and puck schedule

Wednesday

Nichols Arena – 4:00 - 4:50 p.m.

Friday

Carling Arena - 4:30 - 5:20 p.m.
Bostwick Arena - 4:30 - 5:20 p.m.

Family skate

Excellent opportunity for families to have fun and exercise together. Children and youth must be accompanied by adults and vice versa. Skating assists, including strollers and pylons, that are deemed safe are permitted.

Family skate schedule

Friday

Argyle Arena – 8:00 - 9:45 p.m.
Kinsmen Arena – 6:00 - 7:45 p.m.

Saturday

Carling Arena – 8:00 - 9:45 p.m.

Parent/tot skating

Free for adults (18 or older) to spend quality time with pre-schoolers, 5 and under, in a safe, quiet environment. CSA approved, full caged helmet required. This program has no ice cruisers.

Parent/tot skating schedule

Monday

Argyle Arena – 12:30 - 2:15 p.m.
Nichols Arena – 1:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Nichols Arena – 1:00 - 2:45 p.m.

Tuesday

Bostwick Arena – 9:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Carling Arena – 9:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Kinsmen Arena – 9:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Medway Arena – 1:00 - 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday

Carling Arena – 9:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Nichols Arena – 1:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Kinsmen Arena – 1:30 - 3:15 p.m.

Thursday

Bostwick Arena - 10:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Kinsmen Arena – 9:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Friday

Lambeth Arena – 10:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Stronach Arena – 10:00 - 11:45 a.m.

Saturday

Stronach Arena – 9:00 - 9:45 a.m.

Public skating

CSA approved helmets are recommended.

Public skating schedule

Friday

Carling Arena – 8:30 - 10:15 p.m.

Saturday

Nichols Arena – 2:30 - 4:15 p.m.
Medway Arena – 2:00 - 3:45 p.m.
Stronach Arena – 1:00 - 2:45 p.m.

Sunday

Argyle Arena – 1:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Bostwick Arena – 2:00 - 3:45 p.m.
Carling Arena – 2:00 - 3:45 p.m.
Kinsmen Arena – 3:00 - 4:45 p.m.
Medway Arena – 1:00 - 2:45 p.m.

Free public skating

CSA approved helmets are recommended.

Free public skating schedule

Wednesday

Argyle Arena – 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.
Bostwick Arena – 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.
Carling Arena – 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.
Nichols Arena – 4:00 - 5:15 p.m.
Kinsmen Arena – 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.
Lambeth Arena – 4:00 - 4:45 p.m.
Medway Arena – 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.
Stronach Arena – 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.

Sunday

Lambeth Arena – 2:00 - 2:50 p.m.

Roller in-line skating

Available at North London Optimist Community Centre.

Senior skate

Adults aged 55 and up are invited to enjoy music and exercise while they skate. There will be a flood of the ice halfway through the skate. Skating around the ice is the only activity permitted. No routines or skating as partners.

Please remember that there are skaters of all abilities. Beginner skaters are asked to move to the centre of the ice surface with more experienced skaters closer to the boards. Please judge your skating speed based on the number of people on the ice.

Senior skate schedule

Monday

Argyle Arena – 1:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Nichols Arena – 1:00 - 2:45 p.m.

Tuesday

Bostwick Arena – 9:30 -11:15 a.m.
Carling Arena – 9:30-11:15 a.m.
Kinsmen Arena – 9:30-11:15 a.m.

Wednesday

Carling Arena – 9:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Nichols Arena – 1:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Kinsmen Arena – 1:30- 3:15 p.m.

Thursday

Bostwick Arena - 10:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Kinsmen Arena – 9:30 - 11:15 a.m.

Friday

Carling Arena – 1:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Lambeth Arena – 1:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Medway Arena – 9:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Stronach Arena – 10:00 - 11:45 a.m.

Sledge stick and puck

Participants with and without mobility challenges can use their sticks and pucks on the ice while seated in an accessibility/mobility device called a "sledge". CSA approved, full caged helmets and hockey gloves are required, and participants must provide their own sledge.

Sledge stick and puck schedule

Sunday

Carling Arena – 1:00 - 1:50 p.m.

Fees, rules and equipment

Skating fees and passes

Skating fees (taxes included)

Adult (18-54)	$4.25
Children (12 and under)	$3.25
Youth (13-17)	$3.50
Family (with up to 2 adults)	$8.00
Seniors (55+)	$3.50
Female shinny, introductory hockey and adult shinny hockey	$8.00 each
PT skating shinny hockey	Free
Youth stick and puck	$8.00/family
Adult stick and puck	$4.25/person

Skating passes (taxes included)

Adult	$69.21
Children	$49.44
Youth	$54.24
Family	$108.48
Senior	$54.24

For those unable to meet recreation program costs, financial assistance may be available. Call 519-661-5575 for more information.

Skate rentals and sharpening hours

These facilities are independently owned and operated.

Argyle Arena

Sharpening's cost $6.00. Sharpening hours follow as:

Wednesday, Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Carling Arena

Sharpening's cost $5.00. Sharpening hours follow as:

Monday to Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Earl Nichols Arena

Sharpening's and rental's cost $6.00. Sharpening hours follow as:

Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Farquharson Arena