(Image Credit: Curtis Goodrum / CFJC Today)

By Curtis Goodrum

Outdoor Skating

Rentals now offered as city says ongoing warming trend won’t impact Riverside outdoor rink

Feb 5, 2026 | 9:38 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Riverside Outdoor Skate Rink has been very busy since it opened back in January, and the City of Kamloops says the ongoing warming trend is not expected to be an issue for the refrigeration lines that lie under the ice.

“We can maintain easily at 8 C and we do have capabilities go a little bit higher than that,” Sherri Holmes, the City of Kamloops’ sport, recreation and wellness manager, said.

“It’s when we get into colder temperatures overnight and prolonged periods of time where we have temperatures that are above eight to ten degrees, where we would need to shut down the plant. So, we anticipate we should be able to keep the facility operational for four months of the year regularly.”

Environment Canada is forecasting a day time high of 10 C Thursday and Friday (Feb. 5 and 6), and 9 C on Friday and Saturday. It’s calling for an overnight low of 2 C on Thursday and 4 C on Friday and Saturday night.

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Holmes says the city has not had to increase the amount of coolant being used to maintain the ice at the outdoor rink, and they’re hoping they won’t have to for the rest of the season, which is set to wrap up in March.

“We can turn up the ice plant but we don’t want to do that all the time,” Holmes added. “It’s when we get into those prolonged temperatures for long periods of time that we need to start thinking about taking the Ice out.”

Given the popularity of the rink, people have been clamouring for amenities to be offered, and the city and Tourism Kamloops have responded.

Kelowna-based Okanagan Affordable Rentals began offering skate and helmet rentals, as well as skate sharpening services, as of Feb. 4. It will be offered from Wednesday to Sunday each week, and the company hopes its trial run goes well and that they’ll be able to stay at the rink into the future.

“We have a contract with the city of Kamloops for actually the next two months, that is going to hopefully be expanded for three months,” Kevin Topping, the Owner of Okanagan Affordable Rentals, said. “We are really excited to actually hope to hopefully get a contract for the next five years.”

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

Skate rentals and sharpenings will cost $10 each, while helmet rentals will cost $5.

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 at the Riverside Park outdoor rink.

(Image Credit: Victor Kaisar /CFJC Today)