There is nothing quite like lacing up your skates and stepping onto ice for the first time.
It’s a little scary, but mostly it’s a lot of fun.
The smile on three-and-a-half-year-old Andre Roubinet’s face at the season opening of Vancouver’s Robson Square Ice Rink said it all.
He was just one of many experiencing the magic of the ice as Vancouverites glided into the festive season on Saturday morning.
The opening marks the 10th annual public skating season at the rink. This year, Nordstrom is partnering with BC Children’s Hospital Foundation to help kids in the Vancouver community by supporting the Creative Arts Program at the hospital.
Families from the foundation and Skate Canada joined Jinny Sims, Minister of Citizens’ Services, for the morning’s festivities.
"The Robson Square winter season is about bringing people together to enjoy the spirit of the holidays and the ultimate Canadian pastime — skating!" Sims said in a statement.
"We’re proud to keep this important tradition going for the thousands of people who come here each year and also help raise funds to improve the lives of children facing health challenges in our province."
BC Children’s Hospital president and CEO Teri Nicholas said the donations collected would help provide meaningful experiences that let kids be kids — even in the hospital.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to help more kids create lasting memories this holiday season,” he said.
The ice rink is Vancouver's first outdoor public skating rink, originally opened in 1982. It was renovated and reopened in 2009 and has remained a family favourite ever since, with almost 120,000 visitors last winter.
Nordstrom is the month-long sponsor of the holiday tradition for the fourth consecutive year. Visitors can also take photos with Santa in a snow globe photo booth or have a break from skating and warm up with a free hot chocolate and a cookie.
Skating is free and skate and helmet rentals are available on-site.
Robson Square Ice Rink visitors will be asked if they wish to make a donation to the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. The money raised will go toward the Creative Arts Program at BC Children’s Hospital, which uses art to help comfort and support children during their hospital stay.
The Robson Square Ice Rink and Plaza
When: December 1, 2018 until February 28, 2019
Where: Robson Square – 800 Robson Street
Cost: Free if you bring your own skates. $5 to rent a pair – cash only
Hours of Operation:
- Sunday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Holiday Hours:
- Christmas Eve, December 24: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Christmas Day, December 25: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Boxing Day, December 26: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- New Year’s Eve, December 31: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- New Year’s Day, January 1: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
