Quebec City is investing in refrigerated rinks to keep outdoor skating alive amid climate change challenges
Yvan Cournoyer, a hockey legend, stood on a new refrigerated rink. He remembers clearing snow as a kid, not just skating. Now, kids face a different challenge.
The city is feeling the heat from climate change. Mayor Bruno Marchand announced a $45 million investment to help adapt. They’re putting money into refrigerated rinks to keep outdoor skating alive.
Last winter, the public rinks were only open for a third of the season. Marchand said, “We need to adapt ourselves.” It’s a big deal for a city that loves winter sports.
Experts say it’s getting harder to keep outdoor rinks going. Lawrence Mysak, a professor, mentioned that temperatures need to stay below -5 C for days to flood a rink.
He’s seen a lot of warming in the last 20 years. It’s a real concern for the future of outdoor skating.
But there’s hope! Quebec City just got a new refrigerated rink, thanks to the Montreal Canadiens’ initiative. Cournoyer thinks it’s great for the kids.
Now they can skate no matter the weather. The Canadiens have helped create 15 refrigerated rinks across the province.
It’s a fantastic way to keep the spirit of outdoor skating alive, even as the climate changes.
