The Halifax Regional Municipality is advising residents that the Emera Oval, located on the Halifax Commons, will open today at 4 p.m. 

Every year, the Emera Oval is transformed into the largest outdoor, artificially refrigerated ice service east of Quebec City. The skating surface is equal to three NHL hockey rinks, and the facility includes an accessible washroom, street parking on Cogswell Street and wheelchair access to the ice surface. 

Free equipment rentals, including skates and helmets, will be available. Valid ID is required for all rentals. CSA-approved multi-impact hockey helmets are mandatory for children 12 years of age and younger. However, all skaters are encouraged to wear a helmet for their own safety.  

The municipality will also host a Skate with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents are invited to come and skate to holiday music, enjoy complimentary candy canes and take a picture with Santa Claus. 

A full schedule of public skate times can be found on halifax.ca/skateHRM. 

Via HRM