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See Rink Diaries for Ramsden Rink

It seems that when the women show up to take their allotted time they are not supported by rink staff and are harassed by the other rink users. The women have experienced verbal and physical intimidation. This is unacceptable at all levels and I am asking for you to take immediate steps to resolve this.

When we experienced similar harassment at Wallace, Tino acted immediately to ensure the safety of the women players as well as providing support for the staff at the rink who perhaps found themselves unsure of how to address the situation. We have never had significant problems since.

In no way is this kind of behaviour acceptable. Women are often too intimidated to come back. As someone who has been physically threatened by other rink users I want to assure you that this is not a misunderstanding. But I also know that it is a problem that can be solved with the right support.

Though I usually skate at Dufferin on Tuesdays I will be at Ramsden next week and I ask that you come out and see what is really going on. I would invite you to join us for a skate but it is women-only!

E-mail from F.R. to CityRinks Feb.3 2010

I am writing to let you know what a fun time friends and I had at the women's shinny session at Ramsden park yesterday evening. This is the second week that I've made it out for the Tues evening women's shinny at Ramsden and it has been great both times. There's a good turn-out, at least 15 women, ranging from complete beginners to more experienced players. Everyone plays well together, encouraging the beginner players and making sure that everyone gets involved in the play. There is a really nice friendly atmosphere about the whole evening. As it was snowing while we played the rink staff did a quick scrape of the ice surface with the zamboni halfway through our time while we kept warm in the change area. It pretty much stopped snowing then so we had nice clean ice for the last 45 min. It is really great to be able to play shinny with other women who just want to come out and have some fun and develop their skills. I hope to get back for many more of these Tues evening sessions this year.

I'm writing to inquire about what rules currently exist to insure ice access for those who wish to skate without feeling threatened by sticks and pucks. I live within a few minutes walk of the rink. Two years ago when I bought new skates, I was extremely excited about the prospect of getting some great exercise through the winter months. I noted that the ice is divided into two areas, one boarded for shinny and the other, presumably, for the use of those who just want to skate. Is there a schedule that includes time set aside on the fenced / unboarded ice where one can be guaranteed some time to enjoy the ice without dodging pucks and sticks and their handlers?

The first winter I had my skates I found that more often than not, the fenced / unboarded ice was monopolized by half a dozen kids with wild sticks and a puck or two making it nigh on impossible to free skate without constantly veering one way or the other to avoid a loose puck or several people who have suddenly stopped / changed direction / backed up to chase one.

I was a lot less excited about my prospects for free-skating last winter, and couldn't help but notice the domination of pucks and sticks on the ice whenever I was heading home through the park and thinking about my skates hanging up in the closet. "What a great day for an hour of skating! Oh. I guess not." I didn't skate in Ramsden Park once last winter, although I freely admit that had I written this letter last winter instead of waiting this long I might have found a solution to my problem.

I have never seen any kind of schedule posted outside; perhaps I'm not looking in the right place?

I did get my skates sharpened again this year and enjoyed a couple of great skates on two rare occasions when I was able to try the ice at 2pm on a weekday. I went again last Friday night between 9pm and 9:30 and spent an intensely aggravating 10 - 15 minutes dodging sticks and pucks: about half a dozen kids +1 puck + two young fellas + another puck all of whom were completely oblivious to the 8 or so people *trying* to "pleasure" skate around them. I gave up, and none too happy, took off my skates and went home. I haven't been back to the rink since. The reality of getting excited about a skate and creating space for it in a busy day only to be driven off by ice use which is completely incompatible with a free / pleasure skate is too disappointing. While I was getting my skates off I spoke with someone else who, like myself, was also trying to enjoy a free skate and felt just as bothered as I do by the whole thing.

I feel I should add that I love sticks and pucks and shinny shenanigans! I am about to tuck into a great game between Canada and Slovakia. I think it's great that there's ice in the park for hockey-lovers, and I wouldn't dream of interfering with it or expecting a piece of it. All I'm wondering is why the other piece isn't similarly dedicated (at least some of the time??) for the use of those who just want to skate.