Skating and Welland Arenas

Lace ‘em up and carve the frozen indoor barn floors. As Canadian as maple syrup, spending time in the arena is a right of passage for some. In Welland, we’ve got just the spots for you to net a hatty, celebrate a celly, or land the quad.


The City has two arenas: the Main Arena and the Jack Ballantyne Memorial Arena. The arenas operate with ice from September to late April with a full slate of ice-related organizations, including Jr. B Hockey, Welland Minor Hockey Association, and the Niagara Centre Skating Club.

During the summer months, the arenas host ball and roller hockey, and minor, junior, and senior lacrosse. Special events also take place in these venues.

Public skating

Save on regular public skating rates by purchasing a public skate punch card valid for 10 skates.

Fees Single admission Punch card
Child (14 years and under) $2.75 $15
Adult $3.75 $25

Public skating ice is separated into two sections with the use of ice bumpers:

Learn to skate — for those using early learner skate aids and anyone just starting out
Skate area — open skating area

Early learner skate aids are available to borrow at the front table on a first come, first served basis. Assistive sleds can be booked by calling the Welland Community Centre. Please see below for more information on skating aids.

Hockey helmets are permitted. No other hockey equipment is permitted during public skating.

  • Children 12 years of age and under must wear a CSA-approved helmet. A face cage is recommended.
  • Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a responsible person 16 years old or older who must maintain visual contact throughout the skate.
  • Bicycle helmets are not permitted.
  • Adults are encouraged but not required to wear a CSA-approved helmet.
  • Individuals with serious medical conditions should be accompanied by another person knowledgeable about their condition and responsible for their direct supervision.
  • The City does not provide or rent skates. The only skate aids permitted on the ice are those provided by the City.

Early skater learning aids

Early learner skate aids are available to borrow free of charge at listed Public Skating events on a first come-first serve basis. Recommended for children ages two and up, skate trainers support the child, encouraging instant success on the ice, improving balance, and fostering proper skating posture.

  • ID is required to borrow the skater aids.
  • Parent or guardian supervision is required.
  • A helmet with a cage is recommended. Helmets are also available to borrow at the sign-in table.

To create a safe area for those learning to skate, an ice bumper is in place during all public skate times.


Specialty assistive sled

Everyone should be able to enjoy the feeling of gliding on the ice in our arenas. Two specialty assistive sleds are available for those unable to skate to safely enjoy the ice with an adult friend or guardian. Each specialty assistive sled comes with:

  • custom high back with wrap around sides and chest strap
  • adjustable headrest
  • adjustable leg support
  • telescoping nose
  • push handle

This device can be booked free of charge in 90-minute blocks during any of our public skating events. Please refer to the public skating schedule for dates and call 905-735-1700 x4000 to book. The person booking must be 18 years of age or older and provide the name of the person(s) they will assist in using the sled. Those making the booking must be able to safely place and remove any person being pushed, and they must affirm they will remain with the device and individual being assisted at all times.

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2024/2025 Public skating times

  • Saturday Public Skating 6:30 to 9 p.m.
  • Sunday Public Skating 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
  • PA Day Skating noon to 3 p.m. (free for children 14 and under)
  • Holiday Free Skate* 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (free for everyone)
  • New Years Eve Skate* 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (free for everyone)
  • Family Day Free Skate* 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (free for everyone)
    Food donations will be collected to support the Hope Centre.
    Sponsored by the Optimist Club of Welland
  • March Break Skate* 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (free for everyone)
    Sponsored by Empire Communities

* Please note that these events take place at the Main Arena. All other public skating takes place at the Jack Ballantyne Memorial Arena.

Rent ice for family gatherings, business and corporate functions, recreational hockey, group skating, and regular ice use. To apply for an ice rental permit, please contact bookings@welland.ca or 905-735-1700 x4000.

The recreation, sport, and culture department administers ice rental permits. Permits must be signed by the person listed on the permit to confirm the booking(s) and understand the facility rules, regulations, and conditions of use. Payment is due at the time of booking.

Ice rental hours

  • 6:30 a.m to midnight daily
  • Main Arena ice rentals are booked on the hour
  • Jack Ballantyne Memorial Arena ice rentals are booked on the half-hour

The permit holder agrees that each hour of the rental will consist of not more than 50 minutes of ice time, with the balance of each hour devoted to ice maintenance.

Rates and fees (2024-2025)

Charge Rate HST Fee Total
Non-prime time $105.06 $13.66 $3.06 $121.78
Prime time $192.47 $25.02 $3.06 $220.55
Walk-in $108.22 $14.07 $3.06 $125.35
  • The prime time rate applies to weekday bookings from 4 p.m. to midnight and all weekend hours. This rate also applies to bookings on holidays, such as Family Day.
  • The non-prime time rate applies to weekday bookings from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • The ice resurfacing fee is calculated per hour, not per booking.
  • All payments returned due to insufficient funds are charged an administration fee.
  • The regular season begins mid-September until early April in the Main Arena, and up to the end of April in the Jack Ballantyne Memorial Arena.

All Ages SK8

Skate for fun and exercise. Meet your friends each week at the Welland Main Arena. Helmets are required for children 12 years of age and under for safety reasons. Assistive sleds are available to book for free to be used during the All Ages SK8 (please see information tab). A punch card is required to access this program and can be purchased at the Wellness Community Centre service counter.

  • 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
  • Every Monday and Wednesday starting Monday, October 7 until Wednesday, March 5
  • Exceptions: October 14; December 23, 25, 30; January 1; February 17

Shinny Hockey – 60 Plus

Must have CSA-approved equipment. A changeroom will be provided. Please follow the posted rules for Shinny hockey. A punch card is required to access this program and can be purchased at the Welland Community Centre service counter.

  • 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.
  • Every Monday and Wednesday starting Monday, October 7 until Wednesday, March 5
  • Exceptions: October 14; December 23, 25, 30; January 1; February 17

If boards can’t contain you and you’d rather glide under the open sky while snowflakes dot your toque, the City of Welland has several outdoor rinks to enjoy.

Rinks maintained by City staff

Ground rinks maintained by volunteers

* Rinks without volunteers may not be consistently maintained or suitable for skating. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for one of these rinks below, please contact pw@welland.ca or 905-735-1700 x3000.

holiday ice available

Important

Please always check the News & Alerts, located at the top of the screen, for updates on outdoor ice conditions and skating cancellations.