Milton neighbours who want to build and run an outdoor skating rink in a local park this winter have until Sunday, Nov. 8, to apply to the Town's neighbourhood rink program. Volunteer groups apply to look after a rink at a pre-approved park, and anyone can skate on it at no charge.
The Town says it puts up the perimeter boards for a rink of about 32 by 64 feet and offers up to $500 per rink toward maintenance costs. It also covers the group's liability insurance, as long as volunteers keep up the expected service levels and inspections and stick to their agreement with the Town.
The rest is up to the neighbours. Each application needs at least six adults from different households who live nearby and commit to keeping the ice going all winter. The group names a team leader and handles regular flooding, snow clearing and safety checks. Volunteers also have to plan for and supply the water for ongoing flooding.
Applicants name a park and a preferred spot in it, and the Town confirms the site. The application form offers a tip: outdoor rinks do best on a gravel baseball diamond.
The program started in the winter of 2022-23 and is now entering its fifth year. Both new and returning volunteers are encouraged to apply.
Teams will hear back Nov. 18-20 and train in December, and skating is expected to start in January or February, depending on the weather.
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications close | Nov. 8, 2026 |
| Teams contacted, sites confirmed | Nov. 18-20, 2026 |
| Training: policies and procedures | Dec. 8, 2026 |
| Training: ice making and maintenance | Dec. 14-18, 2026 |
| Rinks open (weather permitting) | January-February 2027 |
Once open, the rinks run from dawn to dusk, or until 10 p.m. where there is Town lighting or other lighting the Town has approved in advance.
Full details on volunteer duties and the online application form are at milton.ca/NeighbourhoodRinks.
