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- calendar_today November 1, 2026
Fernie Volunteers Secure Long-Term Lease for Outdoor Skating
A volunteer group in Fernie, British Columbia, has signed a 30-year lease with the city to bring an outdoor skating rink back to the community. This marks a major milestone, aiming to revive a cherished local activity that has been hampered by warm and unpredictable winter weather.
Skating Days Limited by Recent Winters
Over the past three winters, Fernie's outdoor rink has offered only about 10 days of skating, as weather and operational challenges made it impossible to maintain suitable ice. According to the city, there were no skateable days during the 2023-24 winter due to mild conditions. The following season, the rink remained closed as infrastructure and operation issues persisted.
Fernie’s outdoor rink gained special significance after a 2017 ammonia leak at the Fernie Memorial Arena killed three workers, forcing the closure of the indoor facility. Community groups like the Calgary Flames Foundation and Fernie Lions Club came together to build the outdoor rink, offering residents a crucial recreational space.
Plans for a New Community Rink
Now, the Fernie Outdoor Rinks Society has taken steps to build a new temporary rink at the Fernie Aquatic Centre grounds, located at 250 Pine Avenue. The lease agreement includes an annual basic rent of $10, with the volunteer-run organization responsible for development, maintenance, and operating costs, as well as property taxes.
Jorde Goethals, president of the Fernie Outdoor Rinks Society, said the volunteer response has been overwhelming, sometimes with more helpers than tasks available. The society hopes to have the temporary rink ready by mid-December, but actual skating may be delayed until January or February depending on temperatures and weather conditions.
Climate and Operational Challenges for Ice Maintenance
The unpredictability of winter weather continues to pose significant challenges. Brett Logan, Fernie's director of parks, facilities, and recreation, noted that city staff previously struggled to maintain the outdoor rink alongside responsibilities at the busy indoor arena. He believes the volunteer group will be better positioned to handle evening ice maintenance, when temperatures tend to be cooler.
According to Robert McLeman, an environmental studies professor at Wilfrid Laurier University and director of RinkWatch, rapid temperature changes and inconsistent rainfall make natural ice less reliable in Western Canada. "If we don't change our ways in terms of burning fossil fuels, we are going to eventually lose the opportunity to skate outdoors here in Canada," McLeman said.
Future Plans: Making Skating Less Weather-Dependent
Looking ahead, the society intends to install a permanent concrete pad by 2027, a protective roof in 2028, and artificial refrigeration in 2029, all subject to fundraising and permit approvals. The ultimate objective is to provide a more reliable skating season, with Goethals estimating the full project could cost about $2 million and potentially offer four to five months of skating each winter.
However, McLeman cautions that while refrigeration can help extend the skating season, it is energy-intensive and comes with higher operating costs than natural ice. The effort to safeguard opportunities for outdoor skating is about more than just recreation—for many, it preserves a vital aspect of community life during the winter months.
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Source: cbc.ca.
