Rink change area: was sad and dingy, then under construction during the 2013/14 rink season. Recently reopened, which is good, because the rink is windswept and very cold (the tall buildings all around make a wind tunnel).

Staff: 14 ice maintenance shifts a week

Helmet use: only leisure skaters under six

Cityrinks.ca position paper: is the city's helmet policy in need of an update? Should little kids be forced to wear only CSA approved helmets?

Maintenance: Zamboni on site and ice in good condition on our visit. But this rink is listed as closed more than any other rink in the city -- not sure why, since it's in shade most of the time and so can withstand the sun better than most other city rinks.

Public Skating:

Free Pleasure-skating: Public skating all the time.

Comments about this rink: e-mail us at [email protected].

new change room benches, and lots of lockers

rink is often in shade

2021 - 2022

Nov.27, 2021

Opened for the season

Rink diaries from earlier years

2020 -2021

The rink is closed for construction until Jan.2021

Rink diaries from earlier years

2019 - 2020

No reports

2018 - 2019

Nov.26, 2018

This rink was listed as closed for part of yesterday ad is again closed today.

Nov.24, 2018

This rink was scheduled to open today and did, but then was closed again before closing time, maybe because it was raining lightly.

2017 - 2018

This rink was scheduled to open Nov.25, 2017, but was rarely listed as open.

2016 - 2017

March 13, 2017, email to City Concillors Glenn DeBaeremaker's office

Response:

At noon, the rink is finally listed as open again.

Note from Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker:

First, thanks very much for bringing this error to my attention. Today is the perfect day to skate, so I'm disappointed that the City has not updated/corrected its website.

It was impossible to skate last week at the Civic Centre when the temperatures where about 10 and the rink was a giant puddle; but it should be in great shape today.

My staff are making sure:

1.) We correct this error ASAP.

2.) We figure out why this error was made and then make sure it doesn't happen again.

Response from the PFR general manager's office:

PFR staff advised that the outdoor rink at Albert Campbell Square is the only outdoor rink in Toronto that is not operated by Parks. It is operated at a part of Scarborough Civic Center under Rob Cashen of Facilities Management (also cc'd on the original e-mail). Mr. Cashen or his staff are the ones appropriate to respond to your concerns.

March 9, 2017

Still listed as closed,with the same outdated message.

March 5, 2017

On the city's website, the rink is still listed as closed. It's finally warming up (to minus 3 at 5 p.m.) after days of very cold weather. The operator at 311 agreed that the post is probably out of date, and she consulted her supervisor to see if they can send a message to Parks reminding them to update. It turns out they can't. She suggested that the public can leave a message on the Parks and Rec complaints line, which we did.

March 4, 2017

On the city's website, at 10 a.m. this rink is still listed as closed (from Feb.28) due to soft ice conditions, even though the current temperature is minus 12 celsius.

2015 - 2016

Email from Robert Cashen, Facilities Management, East Toronto, question re Civic Rink closures

March 10, 2016

This rink was scheduled to stay open until March 20, but it was closed for the season on March 10.

Jan.25, 2016, email from Farnaz Patel, assistant to Councillor De Baeremaker:

Response from rink user:

Jan.9, 2016

Today was the Mayor Tory's second annual "skating party," with at least three councillors in attendance as well (De Baeremaker, Cho, Kelly). The weather forecast was for rain or at least drizzle, but it was just cloudy. The ice was excellent despite the overnight rain -- maybe the staff brought in the Nathan Phillips Rink water vacuum. (Three of the city's four civic rinks are in basins and so the water can't run off on its own.)

So there was a good crowd there, maybe around 200 people or even more. It appeared that maybe half were city staff from various departments, with their kids. There were free skate loans -- the city contracted the people who run Nathan Phillips Square skate rental, and people didn't have to pay. That was a hit. Because of the free skates, there were quite a few people on the ice who were on their first try at skating -- but there were no skate aids. There were four rink guards, and they were kept busy helping wobbly skaters to get off the ice, upright.

There was a sign attached to a fence, a little distance from the rink and up some stairs, saying that skating at this rink implies acceptance of being photographed, and for anyone under 18, it implies parental permission to be photographed. The rink was "closed" to anyone without that acceptance or permission.

And certainly there were plenty of cameras, i.e. the inevitable cell phones for selfies, all the way up to media filming on tripods.

There was free MacDonald's coffee in a special MacDonald's van with five staff in MacD uniforms, and free hot chocolate and hot cider delivered by Treats. At one time, maybe up until amalgamation, any such city event would have been done internally -- local rink staff (in this case, from Albert Campbell Rink) hosting the event themselves, doing all of it. They didn't charge for their full hours, either, because it was a point of pride, a kind of game, to put on a really nice event and show others in the city how hospitable their rink or rec centre or park was. But those times are gone. Perhaps it's cheaper and maybe more reliable (fewer last-minute sick calls) to contract it out, this way. Strange to see, though.

There were about 8 police, several in skates, and an ambulance van as well. There were two mascots walking around the rink and across the ice giving high fives (Marlies and Raptors), and a Maple Leafs player but we didn't see him. The mayor came with his wife and said they intended to skate. But they may not have had time -- there were so many people doing selfies with him.

This didn't exactly have a party feeling to it, more of a corporate event -- an unlikely way for people to meet new friends, certainly. But the weather was mild, the DJ was good, and there were some dance moves from the better skaters, here and there. About half the people were not skating; it looked like they had come just to watch. And the people-watching was kind of fun.

One of the odd things was the presence of 5-6 people with "Indie88" jackets on, who were walking or skating around with big cardboard signs with the radio station's name on it. They were giving high fives too, just like the mascots. They said they were there to raise awareness of the station, and that in winter they go to various outdoor rinks and then blog about them on their website. And indeed, on their website they do mention a few rinks. But they seemed to be aware of only a small number of the 50.

City-sponsored outdoor events as an opportunity for marketing your brand. Is that part of what drives such events? It certainly seems so.

January 4, 2016

Facebook post by Ravi Bhagwandin: As a Scarborough resident I've always found the Albert Campbell ice rink thoroughly disappointing. Its saving grace is that it is quiet on weeknights, which makes for an enjoyable skate when you want to move with some speed.

It's more often than not worth making the long trip down to any number of ice pads further west. It's a shame because I feel like this acts as a deterrent for introducing the large immigrant population Scarborough has to skating and winter sports in general.

January 1, 2016

The city's website listed this rink as open on New Year's Day from 10 until 10, and indeed it was. The rink is not so easy to get to, but there's some pay-and-display parking on Borough Drive to the south, and even on new year's Day the doors through the municipal centre have been left unlocked so people can pass through to the rink. The rink staff says that sometimes it's possible to park at the nearby TDSB lot as well.

This rink has an anonymous, businesslike feel about it -- put on your skates, skate around, take off your skates, and leave. There's no encouragement to hang around and socialize, meet your neighbours, find out what's new. The new changeroom is clean and comfortable and more than ample, considering the small number of skaters usually there. But there's no lookout toward the rink, and the sign outside saying "snack bar" is not true. There used to be a kitchen long ago but when the change room was renovated, the kitchen was removed. No skate rental either. A perfect example of the missed opportunities that are a City of Toronto specialty.

altogether about 15 skaters at 1 pm.

seasonal decoration

December 31, 2015, email from G.K.:

Dec.27, 2015

Listed as closed Dec.24 to Dec.27

Letter from cityrinks.ca to Councillor DeBaeremaker and Mayor Tory, Dec. 17, 2015

See Read more

Views of the rink

From The City of Toronto Website 2014-15

For the skating schedule, go to Scarborough Civic, then click on Skating.

Rink Diary

2021 - 2022

Nov.27, 2021

Opened for the season

Rink diaries from earlier years

2020 -2021

The rink is closed for construction until Jan.2021

Rink diaries from earlier years

2019 - 2020

No reports

2018 - 2019

Nov.26, 2018

This rink was listed as closed for part of yesterday ad is again closed today.

Nov.24, 2018

This rink was scheduled to open today and did, but then was closed again before closing time, maybe because it was raining lightly.

2017 - 2018

This rink was scheduled to open Nov.25, 2017, but was rarely listed as open.

2016 - 2017

March 13, 2017, email to City Concillors Glenn DeBaeremaker's office

Response:

At noon, the rink is finally listed as open again.

Note from Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker:

First, thanks very much for bringing this error to my attention. Today is the perfect day to skate, so I'm disappointed that the City has not updated/corrected its website.

It was impossible to skate last week at the Civic Centre when the temperatures where about 10 and the rink was a giant puddle; but it should be in great shape today.

My staff are making sure:

1.) We correct this error ASAP.

2.) We figure out why this error was made and then make sure it doesn't happen again.

Response from the PFR general manager's office:

PFR staff advised that the outdoor rink at Albert Campbell Square is the only outdoor rink in Toronto that is not operated by Parks. It is operated at a part of Scarborough Civic Center under Rob Cashen of Facilities Management (also cc'd on the original e-mail). Mr. Cashen or his staff are the ones appropriate to respond to your concerns.

March 9, 2017

Still listed as closed,with the same outdated message.

March 5, 2017

On the city's website, the rink is still listed as closed. It's finally warming up (to minus 3 at 5 p.m.) after days of very cold weather. The operator at 311 agreed that the post is probably out of date, and she consulted her supervisor to see if they can send a message to Parks reminding them to update. It turns out they can't. She suggested that the public can leave a message on the Parks and Rec complaints line, which we did.

March 4, 2017

On the city's website, at 10 a.m. this rink is still listed as closed (from Feb.28) due to soft ice conditions, even though the current temperature is minus 12 celsius.

2015 - 2016

Email from Robert Cashen, Facilities Management, East Toronto, question re Civic Rink closures

March 10, 2016

This rink was scheduled to stay open until March 20, but it was closed for the season on March 10.

Jan.25, 2016, email from Farnaz Patel, assistant to Councillor De Baeremaker:

Response from rink user:

Jan.9, 2016

Today was the Mayor Tory's second annual "skating party," with at least three councillors in attendance as well (De Baeremaker, Cho, Kelly). The weather forecast was for rain or at least drizzle, but it was just cloudy. The ice was excellent despite the overnight rain -- maybe the staff brought in the Nathan Phillips Rink water vacuum. (Three of the city's four civic rinks are in basins and so the water can't run off on its own.)

So there was a good crowd there, maybe around 200 people or even more. It appeared that maybe half were city staff from various departments, with their kids. There were free skate loans -- the city contracted the people who run Nathan Phillips Square skate rental, and people didn't have to pay. That was a hit. Because of the free skates, there were quite a few people on the ice who were on their first try at skating -- but there were no skate aids. There were four rink guards, and they were kept busy helping wobbly skaters to get off the ice, upright.

There was a sign attached to a fence, a little distance from the rink and up some stairs, saying that skating at this rink implies acceptance of being photographed, and for anyone under 18, it implies parental permission to be photographed. The rink was "closed" to anyone without that acceptance or permission.

And certainly there were plenty of cameras, i.e. the inevitable cell phones for selfies, all the way up to media filming on tripods.

There was free MacDonald's coffee in a special MacDonald's van with five staff in MacD uniforms, and free hot chocolate and hot cider delivered by Treats. At one time, maybe up until amalgamation, any such city event would have been done internally -- local rink staff (in this case, from Albert Campbell Rink) hosting the event themselves, doing all of it. They didn't charge for their full hours, either, because it was a point of pride, a kind of game, to put on a really nice event and show others in the city how hospitable their rink or rec centre or park was. But those times are gone. Perhaps it's cheaper and maybe more reliable (fewer last-minute sick calls) to contract it out, this way. Strange to see, though.

There were about 8 police, several in skates, and an ambulance van as well. There were two mascots walking around the rink and across the ice giving high fives (Marlies and Raptors), and a Maple Leafs player but we didn't see him. The mayor came with his wife and said they intended to skate. But they may not have had time -- there were so many people doing selfies with him.

This didn't exactly have a party feeling to it, more of a corporate event -- an unlikely way for people to meet new friends, certainly. But the weather was mild, the DJ was good, and there were some dance moves from the better skaters, here and there. About half the people were not skating; it looked like they had come just to watch. And the people-watching was kind of fun.

One of the odd things was the presence of 5-6 people with "Indie88" jackets on, who were walking or skating around with big cardboard signs with the radio station's name on it. They were giving high fives too, just like the mascots. They said they were there to raise awareness of the station, and that in winter they go to various outdoor rinks and then blog about them on their website. And indeed, on their website they do mention a few rinks. But they seemed to be aware of only a small number of the 50.

City-sponsored outdoor events as an opportunity for marketing your brand. Is that part of what drives such events? It certainly seems so.

January 4, 2016

Facebook post by Ravi Bhagwandin: As a Scarborough resident I've always found the Albert Campbell ice rink thoroughly disappointing. Its saving grace is that it is quiet on weeknights, which makes for an enjoyable skate when you want to move with some speed.

It's more often than not worth making the long trip down to any number of ice pads further west. It's a shame because I feel like this acts as a deterrent for introducing the large immigrant population Scarborough has to skating and winter sports in general.

January 1, 2016

The city's website listed this rink as open on New Year's Day from 10 until 10, and indeed it was. The rink is not so easy to get to, but there's some pay-and-display parking on Borough Drive to the south, and even on new year's Day the doors through the municipal centre have been left unlocked so people can pass through to the rink. The rink staff says that sometimes it's possible to park at the nearby TDSB lot as well.

This rink has an anonymous, businesslike feel about it -- put on your skates, skate around, take off your skates, and leave. There's no encouragement to hang around and socialize, meet your neighbours, find out what's new. The new changeroom is clean and comfortable and more than ample, considering the small number of skaters usually there. But there's no lookout toward the rink, and the sign outside saying "snack bar" is not true. There used to be a kitchen long ago but when the change room was renovated, the kitchen was removed. No skate rental either. A perfect example of the missed opportunities that are a City of Toronto specialty.

altogether about 15 skaters at 1 pm.

seasonal decoration

December 31, 2015, email from G.K.:

Dec.27, 2015

Listed as closed Dec.24 to Dec.27

Letter from cityrinks.ca to Councillor DeBaeremaker and Mayor Tory, Dec. 17, 2015

http://www.cityrinks.ca/wiki/wiki.php?n=AlbertCampbellRink.RinkDiary