City Council has directed the City of Kingston staff to undertake a service level review of the City’s outdoor rink program and consult with the community as part of this process.
Outdoor rinks are a treasured and long-standing part of winter in Kingston and communities across Canada. They provide opportunities for recreation, physical activity, and connection with neighbours. However, changing weather patterns, increased variability in winter conditions, challenges with access to water for flooding, and the impacts of climate change have affected outdoor rink operations. In recent years, rinks have typically opened later in the season and experienced shorter periods of reliable ice conditions.
To respond to these changing conditions while ensuring responsible use of municipal resources, the City is reviewing current service levels and exploring opportunities to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the outdoor rink program. This review may identify opportunities to consolidate the number of operating rinks, allowing the City to focus available resources on fewer locations and provide a more consistent and higher-quality experience for residents.
As part of the review, City staff are examining outdoor rink service models used by other municipalities, analyzing local usage data, reviewing operational considerations, and seeking input from the community. The findings from this work will inform a report with recommendations to be presented to City Council in fall 2026.
Get Involved and Stay Informed
Sign up for updates using the form on this page to be notified of new information.
Complete a short survey by Sept. 6 to let us know how you use outdoor rinks.
City Council has directed the City of Kingston staff to undertake a service level review of the City’s outdoor rink program and consult with the community as part of this process.
Outdoor rinks are a treasured and long-standing part of winter in Kingston and communities across Canada. They provide opportunities for recreation, physical activity, and connection with neighbours. However, changing weather patterns, increased variability in winter conditions, challenges with access to water for flooding, and the impacts of climate change have affected outdoor rink operations. In recent years, rinks have typically opened later in the season and experienced shorter periods of reliable ice conditions.
To respond to these changing conditions while ensuring responsible use of municipal resources, the City is reviewing current service levels and exploring opportunities to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the outdoor rink program. This review may identify opportunities to consolidate the number of operating rinks, allowing the City to focus available resources on fewer locations and provide a more consistent and higher-quality experience for residents.
As part of the review, City staff are examining outdoor rink service models used by other municipalities, analyzing local usage data, reviewing operational considerations, and seeking input from the community. The findings from this work will inform a report with recommendations to be presented to City Council in fall 2026.
Get Involved and Stay Informed
Sign up for updates using the form on this page to be notified of new information.
Complete a short survey by Sept. 6 to let us know how you use outdoor rinks.
The City of Kingston is undertaking a service level review of its Outdoor Rink Program. As part of the review, we would like to hear from residents who use the outdoor rinks to better understand usage preferences, locations and expectations. This review will examine current rink locations, opportunities to consolidate sites, and potential service delivery models to make the most effective use of existing resources.
The purpose of this survey is to understand:
How and where outdoor rinks are currently used.
Which locations are most important to residents.
What level of service (e.g., maintenance, amenities, and staffing) is preferred.
Feedback collected through this survey will inform staff recommendations on future outdoor rink operations. A second phase of public engagement will follow in fall 2026, where the public will be asked to provide feedback on any proposed changes resulting from this initial phase. Final recommendations, informed by both engagement phases and staff analysis, will be presented to Council for consideration.
Estimated to complete 10-15 minutes. If you require an alternate format or assistance completing the survey please email ContactUs@CityofKingston.ca or call 613-546-0000.
We use the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation to let you know how feedback on a project will be used. Here's how we are seeking and using your feedback on this project.
Inform: We will keep you informed by providing balanced and objective information to assist you in understanding the problem, alternatives, opportunities and/or solutions.
Consult: We will keep you informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and aspirations, and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision.
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