The Emera Oval is now open for the 2020-21 winter season, weather and ice conditions permitting.
View skating schedule and register here.
The Emera Oval will have a reduced capacity to follow current public health guidelines. Due to COVID-19, skaters must pre-register for public skate times at halifax.ca/myREC. Effective Monday, Jan. 25, skaters can register on a 48-hour rolling schedule, meaning you can book up to 48 hours in advance of a desired skate time. For example: Registration will open Monday at noon for the Wednesday at noon skate time.
Effective Wednesday, Jan. 27 non-medical masks are mandatory at all times, including on the ice surface.
Equipment loans & helmet requirements:
Free equipment loans, including skates and helmets, will be available in limited quantities. Equipment is available on a first come, first serve basis. Skaters are encouraged to bring their own equipment, where possible. A valid government photo ID is required for borrowing equipment. Please note that the red "skating helpers" will not be available this year. Registered skaters can bring their own skating aids, as they have been able to do in past seasons.
CSA-approved multi-impact hockey helmets are mandatory for all children 12 year of age and under. Others are encouraged to wear a helmet, for their own safety.
- How do I register for a skate time?
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Be sure to have a registered myREC account before following the steps below. If you don’t have an account, you can create one at Halifax.ca/myREC or by phone at 902-490-6666. If you already have account but do not have online access, please contact us at 902-490-6666.
Once you’ve created a myREC account, you can book a skate time by following these steps:
1.) Visit halifax.ca/myREC and log in to your myREC account. If you don’t have an account, you can follow the steps to create one.
2.) Once logged in, go to "Search for Courses.”
3.) Click the main category drop-down menu and select "_Emera Oval Public Skate" and then search.
4.) Book your skate time. NOTE: Family members must be booked and added to the cart one at a time (up to 10 people). If your family members are attached to your account, you do not need to log into each account to register them.
5.) If for any reason you can’t attend your scheduled skate time, please be sure to cancel online at halifax.ca/myrec or by phone at 902-490-6666 at least one hour in advance. This will ensure others have an opportunity book the available space.
Effective Monday, Jan. 25, skate times are available on a 48-hour rolling schedule, meaning you can book up to 48 hours in advance of a desired skate time. We have shortened publics skate times to one hour each in order to offer more public skate times throughout the day. Please do not arrive earlier than 30 minutes before your public skate time.
Once registered, please check the schedule before heading to the Oval for your registered time - weather conditions may close the Oval, and your booking could be cancelled. - Can I register my family?
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You must register all family members who will be attending, up to 10 from the same household. No group or school bookings are allowed.
- Can I watch my family skate if I am not skating?
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Yes. There will be areas along the plaza for spectators. We ask that you respect physical distancing measures in place.
- How do I get to the Emera Oval?
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The Emera Oval is located on the Halifax North Common at the corner of North Park Street and Cogswell Street.
Use Halifax Transit to get to the Emera Oval. Plan your route using Google Transit - a free public transit trip planner that integrates Halifax Transit routes, schedules, and stops data into Google Maps. Google Transit is available in 12 languages, compatible with screen readers for the visually impaired, and works with Google Earth and Google Maps for Mobile Devices.
- What amenities are available at the Emera Oval?
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- Skate and helmet borrowing at no charge with a valid government issued photo ID is available.
- Washrooms are open during public skates Beavertails is open during public skates.
- The inside warming room is not available this season.
- Bench area for seating will be available in the plaza area.
- On street parking is available, however, metered parking has changed. Please find more information here.
- Is the Emera Oval Accessible?
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Currently accessibility for visitors to the Emera Oval includes:
Accessible parking (on Cogswell Street) One accessible washroom Wheelchairs allowed on concrete/ice (in outside lane only)
Get outside on the Emera Oval year-round! In-line skating in the summer and ice skating in the winter. How great is that? The Emera Oval is an outdoor skating surface equivalent in size to 3 NHL hockey rinks. It is the largest outdoor, artificially-refrigerated ice surface east of Quebec City.
Contact the Emera Oval
Email: skateHRM@halifax.ca
Emera Oval Hotline: 902.490.2347