School Skate on Big Ice:

Come Skate on the Oval with your entire class for free! Open to all school groups (Primary to 12). Registration required.

Registration form in pdf format - please fill out the pdf form, save it to your desktop (for your records) with a new name - then attach it to an email and email it to schoolskate@halifax.ca

The skating session includes:

• Recreational skate
• Free helmet lending program
• Free skate lending program if your students need to borrow skates

Onsite Amenities include:

• Portable washrooms
• Picnic area
• Outdoor skate change & spectator area
• Warming hut
• Vendors onsite

On this page:

Planning your Visit

What to Bring

General Rules and Guidelines

Not Permitted on Ice

Planning Your Visit

• Everyone planning to get on the ice requires skates. Boots/shoes, etc. will not be permitted on the ice.

• Multi impact helmets are required for children 12 and under. Bicycle helmets are not acceptable. There is a free helmet lending program should your students require a helmet.

• Chaperones and teachers are required to accompany students on and off the ice.

• Depending on the age of the group, students will need help putting on and lacing their skates. This is very time consuming. Please take this into account when planning the number of chaperones to accompany your group.

• There is no onsite parking. Students can be dropped at the Cogswell Street entrance. A site map is available online to provide a visual orientation to the Oval prior to your visit.

• Should your group cancel your booking at the Oval for any reason we will greatly appreciate as much advanced notice as possible to ensure other groups are able to attend in your place.

• In the event of weather cancellation please check our website or call the Oval hotline at 490-2347. Reasons for cancellation might include (but are not limited to): ice conditions, storm days (schools are closed), temperatures that are too cold, or rain.

What to bring

• Properly fitting ice skates. When walking around the Oval with skates on, only walk on rubber mats or wear skate guards to protect your blades.

• A CSA approved multi impact helmet (required for children 12 and under, encouraged for all others). Bicycle helmets will not be permitted, as they are not built to withstand multiple impacts.
  

   

• Warm clothes in layers. For more information on what to wear during outdoor activities visit www.taketheroofoffwinter.ca/skate.php

• Lunch & Snacks. A picnic area is available for your group to gather at any time during your planned visit.

• Pack Light. Don’t bring valuables. We do not have secure storage areas for personal belongings.
  

General Rules and Guidelines

Click here.

Not permitted on the ice:

• Carrying children while on the ice surface (including baby carriers or strollers) is not permitted on the ice surface.

• The use of mp3 players, cell phones, or hand-held electronic devices are not permitted while skating on the ice surface.

• Food and drinks and are not permitted on the ice surface. They are to be enjoyed off-ice in the gathering, seating and warming areas.

• Inappropriate behaviour and language will result in immediate removal from the Oval.

• Rough-play, speed skating (in a crouched position), and reckless skating is not permitted.

• Hockey sticks are not permitted on the ice.