This past winter, the City of Ottawa piloted a new boarded rink at Sylvia Holden Park, including the installation of necessary water infrastructure at the site. The next phase of the seasonal rink project would include the installation of permanent rink lighting facing away from O’Connor Street, a permanent rink shack where the seasonal trailer was located, and a heated change room in the pavilion. As a result, future rink operations would require only the set-up and takedown of the rink boards, with little disturbance to the grass.
Such changes are pending further community consultation. The lighting part of the pilot plan, with its six seasonal rink lights, three on either side of the rink, installed in late fall and removed in the spring, will be an important aspect of consultation after the test phase. If the city goes ahead with three permanent rink lights longer term, we have been told these lights would point away from the homes on O’Connor Street to provide directed light to the rink while minimizing light pollution for nearby residents. Also key will be the long-term establishment of a committed group of volunteers to maintain the rink throughout the winter season.