Ice skating loop will give new look to one of oldest parks in Mississauga

Many people bristle at the thought of the onset of winter, but a good number of Mississauga residents who enjoy lacing up their ice skates likely can’t wait for it to get cold enough for the city’s newest outdoor skating loop to open.

Project leaders at the City of Mississauga have said that the finishing touches are being put on the new ice path expected to open sometime in December at Port Credit Memorial Park, one of the city’s oldest and most popular parks.

Mississauga Ward 1 Coun. Stephen Dasko recently took to social media to let residents know that visitors to the south Mississauga park will soon be able to take a trip or two around the outdoor ice space.

“The refrigerated rink in Port Credit Memorial Park I had commissioned is really starting to take shape,” the councillor wrote earlier. “Very excited to have everyone skating on it this winter season. The gazebo is also getting refreshed.” 

Another recent view of the nearly complete ice skating loop at Port Credit Memorial Park. (Photo: Courtesy of Ward 1 Coun. Stephen Dasko)

When it opens, the Port Credit Skating Loop will offer people a 220-metre-long artificial ice skating path located to the immediate east of the Credit River.

A glycol cooling system was used to construct the path, officials say. That system is becoming more common these days as it provides a number of benefits, including that it helps prevent pipes from freezing in cold weather.

Diagram shows the layout of the new ice skating path at Port Credit Memorial Park. (Image: City of Mississauga)

The path will also be used as a walking path during summer, Dasko told the community via social media when plans were unveiled in late 2022.

At the August 2022 unveiling, several residents said the new ice skating path is a welcome addition to the community, representing the realization of a “longtime community dream.”

Port Credit Memorial Park is located along the Credit River just as it empties into Lake Ontario. It’s a popular location for many festivals and events and also features picnic areas, a skateboarding park, accessible playground and basketball nets.

The gazebo at Port Credit Memorial Park was also “refreshed” as part of work on the new ice skating path. (Photo: Ward 1 Coun. Stephen Dasko social media)