Sunday proved to have the perfect weather for a skating party, and with blue skies and firm ice, Calgarians took to Olympic Plaza to take advantage of the first skate of the winter.
City of Calgary staff were on hand lighting bon-fires, while Calgary Transit had a warmup bus, hot chocolate, Calgary Transit’s Transit Teddy, and even some balloon artists to give a little winter cheer.
“It’s an exciting time,” said Stephanie Richard, Calgary Transit relations specialist.
“It signifies that winter has arrived, and that people can spend time outside and really enjoy the weather.”
Calgary Transit was providing free LRT rides from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to the downtown so people could take advantage of the first skate.
As for having fun activities and treats, Richard said that they were trying to open up the experience to Calgarians.
“We’re just trying be a positive experience for people come enjoy a fun time, smile, spend a little bit of time enjoying a hot chocolate, hang out by the fire, and then have a skate with family,” she said.
Richard said that Calgarians can expect similar event activations from Calgary Transit throughout winter, and that details would be posted on Calgary Transit’s website at www.calgarytransit.com.
Olympic Plaza is now open for skating through to mid-March 2023.
Calgarians can rent skates on site at the Olympic Plaza skate hut.
For more details on winter skating in Calgary, see calgary.ca.
Photos from the first skate at Olympic Plaza
