A selection of skates beside the Riverside Park outdoor rink in downtown Kamloops. (Image Credit: City of Kamloops)

By Victor Kaisar

Outdoor Skating

Rental skates, services to be offered at Riverside Park skating rink starting Feb. 4

Feb 2, 2026 | 6:45 PM

KAMLOOPS — If you’ve been wanting to try out the new Riverside Park outdoor loop but don’t have a pair of skates, the City of Kamloops has you covered.

The city and Tourism Kamloops have announced skate and helmet rentals as well as on-site skate sharpening services will be available as of this Wednesday (Feb. 4). The service will be offered by Kelowna-based Okanagan Affordable Rentals from Wednesday to Sunday each week.

“[It’ll make it] easier than ever to jump on the ice, whether you’re a first-timer or a regular loop-lapper,” the city said in a statement. “Come as you are, lace up on site and enjoy more time on the ice this winter.”

“We heard you loud and clear, and we have big news,” Tourism Kamloops added in its own statement.

According to Tourism Kamloops, skate rentals and sharpenings will cost $10 each, while helmet rentals will cost $5. There is a 30 per cent discount being offered if people follow Okanagan Affordable Rentals on Instagram or Facebook, though it’s unclear how long that discount will be offered.

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In addition to rentals and services, snack offerings like popcorn and hot chocolate will also be available next to the rink loop and fire pits “for the perfect après-skate vibe.”

There will also be first-aid trained staff on hand at the rink.

The outdoor skating loop opened on Jan. 7, and the ice is expected to be in place between December and March. The rink has been a hit for first-timers and seasoned skaters alike, and it’s also led to increased business at sporting goods stores as people flocked to buy skates or sharpen their blades.

“They’re asking for skate rentals. They would love to have hot chocolate vendors. We’re all working trying to catch up and get organized with that,” Jeff Putnam, the city’s parks and streets manager, told CFJC last month.

“I know in the future there are going to be more ancillary services because businesses are going to see this opportunity and want to take advantage of it.”

Okanagan Affordable Rentals is expected to offer rentals and services for the rest of this season as part of a pilot project.

The City of Kamloops plans to issue a bid for these services in the offseason and choose a provider for next year from among the applicants.

‘No concerns’ with upcoming spell of warm weather

Sherri Holmes, the city’s sport, recreation and wellness manager, told CFJC Monday that there are “no concerns at all” when asked if an upcoming spell of warm weather would force skaters off the ice.

While the city had said that the refrigerated ice will be installed and maintained when outdoor temperatures are below 8 C, Environment Canada is forecasting a day time high of 9 C Tuesday, 12 C Wednesday and Thursday, 10 C on Friday, and 9 C on Saturday this week.

“We can maintain the ice even though it is warmer temperatures provided its not consistently above 8 C to 10 C for long periods of time, even including the overnights,” Holmes said. “We don’t have any concerns at this point in time that we won’t be able to maintain the ice at this temperature.”

While Environment Canada is forecasting an overnight low of 7 C on Tuesday, all other overnight temperatures are currently in the 2 C to 3 C range.

“These one-off days will be okay,” Holmes added. “As we get into the middle of March and March break when we’re having more consistent warmer temperatures throughout the day and into the evening, that is when we’ll need to start thinking about decommissioning the ice for the year.”