iN VIDEO: Kamloops new outdoor skating rink proves popular

Residents have come out in droves since Kamloops’ much anticipated new outdoor skating rink opened up this week.

Located in Riverside Park downtown on the waterfront, the rink goes around a loop, weaving under big trees and strings of fairy lights. Music plays and fire pits are lit up for people to warm up around.

“It’s quite an elaborate and well thought through set up,” co-owner of Six Seasons Hiking Apparel Co. Mattea Madsen told iNFOnews.ca. He captured some video of the fun on the rink when it opened.

“It’s so special to have something like this accessible to everyone, right in the heart of our community. This is such a fun way to get outside in the winter months, and another great reason for people to visit our downtown core,” Madsen said.

The rink was funded through a $7.16 million Growing Communities Fund grant to support infrastructure projects that enable community growth, the City of Kamloops said. It has a barrier-free, curb-less entry to make it accessible to all.

Along with the fire pits and the ambient lighting, it has picnic tables and a food truck zone so community events can be held on the site.

The unsupervised rink will be open daily throughout the winter season from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m, Sunday through Thursday, and open until 10:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is free.

In the summer, the concrete pad will be used as a walking path and for other recreational uses.

An online petition is circulating to have the new rink named Hudson’s Loop after the actor in the hit series Heated Rivalry, Hudson Williams, who was born and raised in Kamloops.  

A grand opening event is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 17 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the park, where food trucks and skate rentals will be available.