REGINA — Wascana Centre is opening the door to winter fun this weekend, inviting families to skate, explore and play during a free Winter in Wascana event at the Rink on Wascana.
Running Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the event is part of a January-long series designed to help families reconnect with the outdoors during Saskatchewan’s coldest months.
“This is a series of programs we’re offering throughout January called Winter in Wascana,” said Vivian Kelly, Programming and Visitor Services supervisor at Wascana Centre. “It’s really about promoting outdoor fun in the wintertime and encouraging families and kids to come out and use the rink.”
Set at Legislative Landing, just north of the QEII Gardens, the afternoon will feature skating on the rink, hands-on ecology activities and the chance to warm up by the fire while roasting marshmallows.
Kelly says Wascana Centre’s ecology team will be leading kid-friendly activities designed to be fun, educational and easy to jump into.
“Our ecologists will be offering activities like the Camouflage Challenge and frozen habitat dioramas,” she said. “They’re very hands-on, very accessible for kids, but really anyone is welcome to take part.”
The Camouflage Challenge teaches children how animals blend into snowy environments through a playful hide-and-seek style game, while the habitat activity invites kids to build miniature winter homes using snow, twigs, pine cones and stones.
Free youth-sized skate rentals will be available during the event on a first-come, first-served basis. Helmets are required for skating, and Kelly encourages families to bring their own if possible.
“If you’re planning to skate, bring your skates and a helmet,” she said. “We do have a limited number of helmets available to borrow, but if you have a bike helmet or anything with a chin strap, we recommend bringing that down.”
The rink is easily accessible by parking near the Legislative Building and walking through the QEII Gardens. While Winter in Wascana programming runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the rink itself remains open well beyond that.
“Our warm-up shack opens at 1 p.m. and stays open until 9 p.m., so people are welcome to come and use the rink whenever they’d like,” Kelly said. “The event itself is come-and-go.”
Now in its second year, Winter in Wascana has already seen increased interest, especially with the addition of free youth skate rentals.
“We’ve seen a much larger response this year since adding the free youth skates,” Kelly said. “Last year we didn’t have that, and it’s made a big difference. Last weekend was a great success, and we’re expecting another really fun afternoon.”
With favourable weather expected and strong ice conditions, Kelly hopes families take advantage of the opportunity.
“The ice will be great, and it should be a really fun weekend,” she said. “Everyone should come on down. It’s going to be a good time.”
This Saturday, winter is not something to rush through. At the Rink on Wascana, it is something to enjoy together.
