Skating

Find places, dates and times to skate and play shinny in Waterloo. Learn where to borrow skates and how to book ice time. 

We strongly recommend that all skaters wear CSA-approved safety equipment.

On this page

  1. Register for indoor skating
  2. Free skates
  3. Register for shinny and Stick & Puck
  4. Outdoor skating
  5. Borrow skates at the library
  6. Book ice time
  7. Power skating clinics
  8. Fees, passes, rules and equipment

Register for indoor skating

We offer indoor skating at RIM Park, Albert McCormick Community Centre and Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex:

  • public skating – for all ages
  • parent and child skating – for parents and children 13 and under
  • adult skating – for 18+ only

Registering online saves time when you get to the rink. Book online up to 72 hours in advance. Check for schedule changes before you go.

Check the schedule and register for indoor skating

Free skates

Thank you to our sponsor, Kuppers + Greene Orthodontics for these complimentary public skates. Register up to 72 hours in advance:

  • Sunday, October 22 from 3:20 to 4:10 p.m. at RIM Park
  • Sunday, November 19 from 3:20 to 4:10 p.m. at RIM Park
  • Sunday, December 17 from 3:20 to 4:10 p.m. at RIM Park 

Register for shinny and Stick & Puck

All shinny and Stick & Puck drop-in programs are at RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex.

Parent and Child Shinny drop-in

Shinny is a non-competitive, informal game of ice hockey. You will need to bring your skates, sticks and pucks. Nets are available. Adult guardians must accompany children 12 and younger. The ratio on the ice must be one adult to every 4 children.

Children must wear CSA-approved safety equipment on the ice, including head, eye, facial protection and gloves. We strongly recommend that adult participants do the same.

Book online up to 72 hours in advance. Check for schedule changes before you go.

Check the schedule and register for Parent and Child Shinny
Adult and Youth Shinny drop-in

Adult Shinny is a non-competitive, informal game of ice hockey for players who are 18 and older. We offer Youth Shinny in July and August.

Check for schedule changes before you go.

Check the schedule and register for Adult Shinny
Adult Stick & Puck drop-in

Players 18 and older can practice stick and puck handling, and skating skills.

Check for schedule changes before you go.

Check the schedule and register for Adult Stick & Puck

Outdoor skating

Visit our outdoor rinks page to find your local volunteer-run rink. 

Waterloo Public Square rink (closed for the season)

The uptown Waterloo Public Square rink, 75 King Street South, is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., weather dependent.

Borrow skates at the library

Use your library card to borrow skates at the Eastside Branch of the Waterloo Public Library. The library is close to RIM Park.

Check the Eastside library's hours to make sure you can borrow skates at the same time you plan to skate:

  • Monday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • closed on Sundays and holidays

Book ice time

Waterloo has eight indoor ice pads at four different facilities. Most are available for rent throughout the year. All have free parking and accept cash, debit and credit. 

Email fab@waterloo.ca for more information about booking ice times.

Power skating clinics

We operate the annual Power Skating program in August. Registration begins in March. Email powerskating@waterloo.ca with any questions about the program.

Fees, passes, skating aids and rules

Skating fees and passes

This chart outlines single admission costs and multiple visit costs using our FitPass. FitPasses can be purchased at skating facilities or online using ActiveWaterloo. Prices include HST.

Age category

Single

10 visit pass

25 visit pass

Child and youth (3 to 17)

$4.81

$43.32

$101.09

Adult (18 to 54)

$6.32

$57.87

$135.02

Family* (up to four people)

$14.46

$130.18

$303.74

Additional family member

$2.40

    

Parent and child skate

$6.42

$57.87

$135.02

Parent and child shinny**

$11.25

    

Seniors (55+)

$4.81

$43.32

$101.09

*Family admission includes two adults and two children – a maximum of four people. Additional family members are $2.40 per person. Parents must be with children when using the pass – maximum three extra children. **During the school year, children must be 13 or younger. In July and August, children must be eight or younger.

Skating aids

We have wheelchair skates (skis that attach to a wheelchair) available at RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex and WMRC. We recommend calling ahead to the facility to reserve them.

We don't rent or provide other skating aids (such as push bars). You can use your own at the facility staff's discretion.

Skating rules

Be considerate of others by continually moving along the boards and controlling your speed.

You can only bring strollers on the ice at the facility staff's discretion during parent and child skates.

Do not bring food or drinks on the ice.

Participants must only wear skates on the ice.

Do not carry children or pull sleighs while skating.

Do not skate at excessive speeds or cut in and out of people while skating.

Do not play tag or play rough, such as pushing or pulling.

We strongly recommend that all participants wear CSA-approved safety equipment, including head, eye and facial protection, during all skating programs.