Arena Programs

• Be respectful to staff and patrons.
• Follow staff instructions. They are doing their job to keep everyone safe.
• Be prepared to show proof-of-payment at drop-in sessions.
• Do not enter the ice surface until the skate attendant opens the gate.
• Leave the ice surface when instructed at the end of the session.
• Children under 7 must be accompanied by a caregiver (16+ years) who remains in the facility supervising.
• Children 10 and under must wear a CSA approved helmet.
• Helmets are strongly recommended for all skaters and are available to borrow on a first come first serve basis.
• Skate aids are for beginner skaters only.
• Wheelchairs and strollers are permitted on the ice if the occupant is wearing a helmet and is properly strapped in.
• Wearing of child carriers is not permitted on the ice.
• Either skates or corkers must be worn on the ice surface.
• Raising your skate above knee level will not be tolerated. This includes figure skating, carrying children with skates on, or sitting on the boards.
• Reckless behaviors including (but not limited to) tag, spinning, snow gathering, and excessive speed are not acceptable.
• Activities will be determined by staff and will only be set up when staff feels they are safe and appropriate.
• Hockey will not be setup at every public skate. When hockey is setup by staff, only fully plastic sticks and foam pucks will be used in the designated area.
• No lessons or private coaching permitted at public sessions.
• Playing lacrosse or hockey in the lobby is not permitted.
• No smoking inside or within 7.5 of the facility entrance
• Assistance animals only allowed inside the facility. 

Preschool Levels (2.5 - 5 years)

Adult & Tot (2 ½ - 4 years) (Caregiver Participation) - Positive introduction to the ice using toys and play. Skills include safety, standing and walking. Caregivers will learn skills to help their children.

Skating Level 01 - Preschool (3 - 5 years) - Teaches ice orientation, balance, walking independently and a walk to glide. Perfect for first time and new skaters who cannot stand or skate on the ice independently.

Skating Level 02 - Preschool (3 - 5 years) - Progress to two foot glide, glide and touch toes, and begin the push-glide sequence. For children who can walk by themselves and do a walk to glide sequence.

Skating Level 03 - Preschool (3 - 5 years) - Glide longer distances, walk backwards, and begin stopping. Skaters will also focus on proper push-glide skating.

Skating Level 04 - Preschool (3 - 5 years) - Learn to snowplow stop, skate backwards, and glide on one foot. Introduction to t-push stance and sculling.

Skating Level 05 - Preschool (3 - 5 years) - Focus on forward push glide, backwards skating, backwards gliding, sculling, and T-pushes.

Children Levels (6 - 12 years)

Skating Level 01 - Children (6 - 12 years) - Begin standing, balancing, gliding and gain an introduction to stopping. For children who have never been on the ice before, or are still new to the ice.

Skating Level 02 - Children (6 - 12 years) - Progress to skills such as stopping, backwards walking, gliding on one foot, T-push stance, and an introduction to sculling.

Skating Level 03 - Children (6 - 12 years) - Learn sculling, backwards skating, t-pushes and two foot turns. An introduction to forwards pumping and inside edges will also be taught.

Skating Level 04 - Children (6 - 12 years) - Forwards pumping, backwards sculling, backwards snow plow stop and inside edges are taught. Outside edges and forwards thrusting on a circle will be introduced.

Skating Level 05 - Children (6 - 12 years) - Learn outside edges, backwards glide on 1 foot, forwards thrusting, forwards crossovers, and an introduction to backwards pumping and thrusting.

Skating Level 06 - Children (6 - 12 years) - Practice backwards pumping, backwards thrusting, and begin backwards crossovers. Side stops and backwards inside and outside edges are also taught.

Skating Level 07 - Children (6 - 12 years) - 3 turns, backwards glide on 1 foot using inside and outside edges, and Mohawk turns are taught in this level. This is the final level of the Learn to Skate Program.

Youth and Adult Levels (13+ years)

Skating Level 01 - Adult and Youth (13+ years) - This level is for adults who have never been on the ice before, or are still new to the ice. Orientation to the ice, balance and gliding skills will be taught.

Skating Level 02 - Adult and Youth (13+ years) - For adults who are comfortable on the ice but may not have taken lessons before. Stopping, backwards skating, inside and outside edges, and T-pushes will be taught.

Skating Level 03 - Adult and Youth (13+ years) - For adults who want to learn more difficult skating skills. Backward crossovers, pumping, and advanced edge work are some of the skills that will be taught.

Private Lessons

Half-hour private lessons are available for individuals to work on a specific skill or have one-on-one skating introductions. These are available for children as young as 3 up to adults of any age.

Specialty Levels

Ice Hockey - Level 01 - Preschool (3 - 6 years) - For the beginner player interested in trying the sport. Skills include hockey stance, moving the puck and shooting at the net. Prerequisite is Skating Level 03 - Preschool. This program is for non-minor hockey players.

Ice Hockey – Level 02 - Preschool (3 - 6 years) - Build on the skills of Ice Hockey - Level 01. New skills include backwards hockey stance, stationary and moving pass, wrist shot, and an introduction to backhand pass. This program is for non-minor hockey players.

Ringette - Level 01 - (5 - 9 years) -  For the beginner player interested in trying the sport of ringette. Learn the basic skills needed for the game including passing and shooting. Prerequisite is Skating Level 03 - Preschool or Skating Level 02 - Children. This program is for non-minor ringette players.

Figure Skating (6 - 12 years) - For advanced skaters wanting an introduction to figure skating skills. After a 10-minute group warm up, there is 30-minutes of spins, jumps, and skill development. Prerequisite is Skating Level 04 - Children.

Ice Hockey Level 1 - Children (7 - 12 years) - This introductory hockey level teaches forward and backward hockey stance, aiming the puck, puck handling in a straight line, and team play. Prerequisite is Skating Level 02 - Children. This program is for non-minor hockey players.

Ice Hockey Level 2 - Children (7 - 12 years) - Builds on skills taught in Ice Hockey Level 1 - Children and includes pushing the puck, passing to a moving target, wrist shot, and shooting while skating. Prerequisite is Ice Hockey Level 1 - Children. This program is for non-minor hockey players.

Summer Hockey School (5 - 8 years) - For children who have played minor hockey or those new to minor hockey and signed up for the upcoming season. Our skilled instructors help develop and fine-tune all aspects of your game.

Starting in the Winter 2024 season, lesson titles are changing. If your last class was before Fall 2023, you may need to refer to the chart below to know which class to register in.

2024 Lesson Equivalency Chart

2024 Special Program Requirements

The Parks and Recreation Financial Assistance Program is designed to support eligible residents to participate in year-round active living. Eligible residents are entitled to a 50% fee discount on eligible registered programs. Ask a staff member, or see our website for full information.

Participation Support Services

In some situations, we can offer 1 to 1 support for a customer who requires it. This would be a staff or volunteer dedicated to helping the customer participate in our program.

Our ability to accommodate support depends upon the support needed, available resources, and staffing skill levels. Our staff and volunteers are able to assist with focusing, redirection, positive reinforcement and encouraging engagement. They are not trained Behavioural Interventionists or Community Support Workers.

If you or your child require support to participate in Skating Lessons, you must speak with an Arena Program Coordinator prior to the start of lessons.

Read more on our Access & Inclusion page where you will also find an application form.