The City of Red Deer, Alberta, is asking residents to stay off outdoor community rinks after unseasonably warm weather damaged the ice. As of March 3, 2026, many outdoor skating surfaces are in poor condition or have been closed for the season.
The city issued an alert on February 4, 2026, as warm temperatures began to melt the ice. On February 5, 2026, the temperature hit a record high of 9.0 degrees Celsius, which broke a record for that date that had stood since 1924.
Parks Superintendent Gail Wiens and the parks department have started removing hockey nets and turning off lights at some locations, including Bower Ponds. Skating on soft ice causes deep ruts that are difficult to fix, which can lead to rinks being shut down earlier than usual.
Residents looking for reliable ice can use indoor facilities such as the Collicutt Centre, the G.H. Dawe Community Centre, or the Servus Arena. These indoor rinks remain open for public skating and lessons as the city begins moving toward spring recreation programs.
