Ice Facilities Strategy

The City is developing an Ice Facilities Strategy, a long-term plan to maximize use and guide future investment in both indoor and outdoor ice facilities where residents skate, play hockey, curl and more. The Strategy will be integrated into the Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan five-year review, which helps guide future investments in all City recreation facilities, including rinks, sports fields, sports courts, pools, community recreation centres and other amenities.
  • Fall 2024 to Winter 2025: Community Engagement Phase 1, data collection and other analysis
  • Fall 2025 to Winter 2026: Community Engagement Phase 2
  • Winter 2026: Finalize the Ice Facilities Strategy and integrate it into the Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan five-year review
  • Spring 2026: Present the updated Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan, which includes the Ice Facilities Strategy, to City Council for approval
  • Early 2027: Present the updated Facilities Plan Implementation Strategy, which includes ice facilities, to City Council for approval

The timeline is subject to change.

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In this phase, feedback on what is working well with ice facilities and how they can be improved was collected from community members and ice users. This feedback will help set draft priorities and goals for the Strategy. Feedback collected through community engagements to inform the Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan Review will also be used to inform the Ice Facilities Strategy.

Community Engagement Meetings and Events

Download the What We Heard Phase 1 summary.

January 2025

Online Survey

From November 13, 2024, to January 5, 2025, an online survey collected over 2,000 responses from community members. The survey focused on their experiences and insights regarding the needs and priorities for ice facilities, including arenas, curling rinks, outdoor artificial ice rinks and skating trails.

December 2024

Virtual Public Meeting

On December 11, 33 community members participated in a virtual public meeting. The meeting included an overview of the Ice Facilities Strategy and Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan. Participants engaged in a question-and-answer session and small group discussions to share their needs and priorities for the future of the City’s ice facilities.

Download the

October to November

In-Person Pop-Up Events

In-person pop-up events were held across the city from October to November to share information about the plans, explain the community engagement process, and discuss the future of Toronto’s recreation spaces and parks.

In this phase, feedback on the draft priorities and goals for the Strategy were collected from community members and ice users. This feedback will help finalize the Strategy. Feedback collected through community engagements to inform the Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan Review will also be used to inform the Ice Facilities Strategy.

February 2026

From January 5 to February 2, an online survey collected feedback on draft Ice Facilities Strategy priorities and goals, to help shape the final Strategy. The survey was available in English, French, Spanish, Bengali, Filipino, Hindi, Tamil and Chinese. Over 5,000 survey responses were received. A summary of the survey results will be shared when available.

The Ice Facilities Strategy will identify:

  • how the City’s ice facilities, including indoor arenas, curling rinks, outdoor artificial ice rinks and skating trails are used year-round.
  • trends in how other cities provide and use their ice facilities.
  • current and future demand for all types of ice facilities.
  • gaps in where ice facilities are located and what types are available, considering population growth and changing recreation habits.
  • ways to improve access to ice facilities for local communities
  • ways to make better use of off-peak times and increase year-round use (including for dry pads when there is no ice).
  • which ice facilities should be improved or repurposed and where new ones should be added.
  • new partnership opportunities to help the City fund, program and/or provide ice facilities.
  • how community feedback has shaped the priorities and outcomes of the Strategy.