Calgary has a new way to get outside and skate this spring, as a synthetic outdoor skating rink has officially opened along International Avenue.
The rink, which opened on Friday, May 1, and according to International Avenue, brought Calgarians together for an evening of skating, live music, food, and family-friendly programming as part of a community celebration marking the launch of the new space.
A new kind of recreation in the city
While outdoor skating is typically associated with winter, synthetic surfaces make it possible to keep the experience going well beyond the colder months.
Synthetic ice is an artificial skating surface that is made from panels that have a special coating that allows skaters to glide across it using regular ice skates. It’s designed to mimic the feel of real ice while allowing for use in warmer temperatures.
And in a city where the weather basically runs the schedule, having a rink that doesn’t completely rely on temperature changes things a little.
Calgarians now have the opportunity to use outdoor spaces during those in-between seasons, when everyone’s waiting for spring to arrive but it’s not quite there yet.
What this means for International Avenue
The new skating rink might seem like a simple addition, but it actually says a lot about where International Avenue is headed.
Over the past few years, the corridor along 32 Street SE has slowly been shifting into a more active part of the city. According to the City of Calgary, there has been an increase in efforts to bring in more programming, events, and community-driven spaces that encourage people to spend time in the area beyond just passing through.
Honestly, it’s not every day you get the chance to go skating in the middle of spring, and that’s what makes this attraction so interesting. International Avenue continues to prove itself as not just a place to drive through, it’s a space where things actually happen.
So grab your skates and go try it out for yourself!
International Avenue Outdoor Skating Rink
When: Open Monday to Sunday
Time: Open 24 hours
Where: 32nd Street SE, Calgary, Alta., near 17th Avenue
Cost: Free
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