Skaters hoping for a final glide at Ihtoli-maqahamok – The Gathering Space must put their skates away until next year. The City of Saint John has announced the immediate closure of the free outdoor community rink for the remainder of the season due to mechanical failure.

Compressor Failure Halts Operations

City officials confirmed that a mechanical issue with one of the compressors caused the shutdown. This equipment is essential for maintaining the ice surface, and its failure reduced the facility’s ability to keep conditions safe and reliable for the public.

Why Backup Equipment Isn’t an Option

While the facility possesses backup equipment, the City decided against deploying it for the remainder of the season. To maintain the ice, particularly with warmer afternoon temperatures, the backup system would need to operate at an unsustainably high level.

Pushing the backup equipment to these limits increases the risk of significant strain or further damage to the entire system. To protect the long-term integrity of the rink, the City opted to close the surface now rather than risk a more permanent breakdown.

Looking Ahead to Next Winter

Crews will complete the necessary repairs during the off-season. The City intends to have the rink fully operational and ready to welcome skaters back when the weather turns cold again next winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the rink closing early?
One of the compressors that maintains the ice surface has failed, making it difficult to keep the ice safe for skaters.

Can’t the City use backup generators or compressors?
While backup equipment exists, using it now would require running it at unsustainable levels due to warmer weather. This risks damaging the entire system permanently.

Will the rink reopen next year?
Yes. The closure allows crews to perform repairs to ensure the system is fully ready for next winter.