Grab your skates and head to Riverside Park, because as of Jan. 8, 2026, Kamloops’ new outdoor skating rink is open to the public.
The rink will be open for daily use from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. While the rink is unsupervised, safety signs and protocols are in place. Throughout the season, the ice will be maintained and cleaned via Zamboni seven days a week.
Currently, the facility does not offer skate rentals, and visitors must bring their own equipment.
The grand opening celebration will take place on Jan. 17, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature food trucks and skate rentals.
The rink is expected to be open from December through March, however, the official operating season will depend on weather conditions. An ice chiller is built beneath the rink’s surface and will be used to keep the ice frozen when the outdoor temperature is below eight degrees Celsius. During the summer, the concrete pad will be used as a walking path for the park or as additional space for recreational activities and events. The additional pathway will make Riverside Park more accessible to those with mobility challenges.
The project was approved by the Kamloops City Council in April 2023, with the goal of utilizing Riverside Park during the winter months. The project cost $7.16 million and was supported by the Growing Communities fund, which provided a total of $1 billion in grants, divided among British Columbia’s local governments. The funding supports infrastructure and amenity projects that will facilitate community growth. This project has contributed to the many additions Riverside Park has received in recent years, including an accessible playground and waterpark, washrooms, and trail upgrades. This is intended to make Kamloops’ downtown core a more inviting destination, offering something special year-round.