Winnipeg’s newest outdoor public skating rink is in Old Market Square.
Old Market Square in the Exchange District is now home to Winnipeg’s newest ice surface and public access skating rink.
The new rink was spearheaded by local business owners and Exchange District BIZ board members, Nick Van Seggelen (Bodegoes) and Mike Del Buono (King + Bannatyne). They have been working feverishly to put the final touches on the Exchange District rink.
Recognizing the community is home to an increasing number of residents and more and more visitors each month, Nick and Mike believe the skating rink will be a welcome addition to the neighbourhood.
“We have heard nothing but great things about the rink,” says Van Seggelen. “People are excited to lace up their skates and enjoy the outdoors in the Exchange.”
The return of colder temperatures is good news for this fledgling ice surface.
The skating rink was installed as a feasibility study to test the long-term effects to the Old Market Square landscape. If the rink is a success, the Exchange District BIZ will move forward with developing winter programming which includes an annual skating rink for the beloved Cube site.
“Winnipeg is definitely embracing its Winter-peg spirit and we in the Exchange want to celebrate the frosty season too,” said Stephanie Stroh, Exchange District BIZ Project Manager: Marketing and Communications.
“The Exchange District BIZ would like to thank the City of Winnipeg and Councillor Mike Pagtakhan for all their support this past year and we look forward to working with them in the coming year to hopefully make the rink a permanent reality.”
After unseasonably warm weekend weather temperatures, the skating rink will once again be open on Thu. Mar. 9, and the public are encouraged to come out and enjoy it.
“The more people we get skating the better,” says Van Seggelen, who will be on the rink as long as the weather keeps cool.
In the words of Marilyn Terrell, chief researcher, National Geographic Traveler magazine in response to another wintery Photo of the Day published by CNC last year: “Winnipeg wins winter.”
