Emera Skating Oval

It has been a long time since I have been skating. The last time that I went skating was way back in the day when I lived in Ottawa, wearing a pair of borrowed skates making my way awkwardly across the ice. The Oval is no canal but it exceeded my expectations.
The best part is it is right in the middle of the city and free to pick up a pair of skates for the adventure. Halifax isn’t known for having its streets full of people but the Oval is packed with people of all ages enjoying the winter night. Not too packed to navigate, but just the perfect combination of room and locals enjoying one of the very few city run activities in the city.
You also can get a Beavertail at the end of your skating adventure if you are so inclined. Get out and enjoy some free skating in a wonderful central part of the city of Halifax.

Well groomed and the staff are very happy! The best things in life are free.
Great for kids of all ages!
K.B.

My 3 kids and I had a blast at the Oval yesterday. It truly was a perfect sunny afternoon to spend some quality family time together. Skates are complimentary to rent, make sure you bring a picture ID to give the ladies in exchange for the skate rental. Our day was all complimentary — I did not spend a scent to skate. They have a concession and a beaver tails food truck present. Parking available on the streets.

I don’t usually have much good to say about Halifax government, but what they’ve done with the oval is wonderful.
Free skating, with free skate rentals, multiple public skate times a day, everyday, means there’s no reason not to love the Emera Oval.
The track is large enough that it rarely feels crowded, and there’s warming huts and usually a couple food trucks on site. There’s also skate employees on site at all times to help anyone in need.
The temporary nature of the facilities (rental trailer, etc.) is really the only downside. In a few years, if the city builds a ‘lodge’ type building on site, it will be perfect.

How many great things can everyone say about the Oval? When every other review is obviously very positive, it’s hard to make a case against it. But in the interest of fairness, I’ll tackle each aspect one at a time! Also, keep in mind this is based on public skate!
Location: ⁵⁄₅
Perfectly accessible on the Halifax Commons Grounds, you can have direct access to it from the north end, downtown, West End, and South End (depending on your geographic definitions of each!). Parking can be tricky depending on how you are traveling, but weekends are easy with street parking on all sides of the commons!
Cost: ⁵⁄₅
Ummm… free? How can you beat it? Well, I suppose they could pay us to skate there, but that would just be crazy.
Side Services: ⁵⁄₅
Warming hut, free skate rental, beaver tails, hot drinks, hot eats! All great! Prices aren’t terrible, but the fact that they’re there at all is just fantastic! the only thing that could make it better would be an on-​site skate sharpening service. That being said, I’m sure it would be crazy busy at all times, so maybe that would be a little hard to accomplish.
Ice Conditions /​Schedule: ⁴⁄₅
They’re constantly maintaining the ice, so that’s great! That said, thousands of people skating on it every day (more some days I’m sure) will definitely make the ice a bit bumpy at some parts half way through a skate. The times are also very reasonable. 4 or 5 public skates per day of a couple hours each, ranging from early morning, afternoon, to early evening. Can’t make one, wait a few hours! It’s really great that way!
And in the spring/​summer/​fall… when the ice can’t possible stay outdoors? Turn it over into a running or roller blading track. Use year round, promoting healthy habits and fun in Halifax at an affordable price. That can only be a good thing! Stop in before work, on your lunch break, or even after work. Maybe make it a group outing on the weekend, or even a close intimate date with the significant other! Take the kids for their first skate, or give it a go in your later years.

If you are looking for an inexpensive way to get out of the house and just do something, the oval is a great place.
Don’t own a pair of skates? That’s okay because you can rent them FOR FREE. This was my favourite part. It was free. It didn’t cost me anything to do it. I skated for about an hour, while chatting with my cousin. It was an easy way to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
If you want to be traditionally romantic, try taking your significant other out for a day of skating. So cute. You can even top off the date with beavertails and hot chocolate.
People of all ages and levels of expertise will find themselves comfortable with the vast skating area. Try to hit the ice at least once this winter! You won’t regret it!

Last Friday, me, my Mother-​in-​Law, Brother-​in-​Law and his girlfriend went to the Oval for a quick skate while they were visiting Halifax.
We all agreed that we were impressed with how well organized and laid out the Oval was.
Parking a street away was easy enough to find.
Access to the Oval is free
Skate and Helmet rentals are free
There are padded squares all around for skate blade protection
There are more than enough benches with storage space beneath for boots and bags
There are a few vendors with hot treats and beverages
There are clearly posted rules (though not everyone reads them and abides)
There are more then enough «chair frames» for beginners (such as one very tall Brother-​in-​Law)
Even with the hundreds of skaters, the track did not seem crowded. people of all ages partook in the public skate session and seemed respectful of each other.
The only 2 things that could make it any better would be:
More attractive stations for rentals and such (rather than mobile trailers) and
More gravel between the side-​walk and padded squares to take care of the muck and slush.
I did not experience the wash-​room options to offer any input there.
I look forward to my next day off and finding someone to skate with. I had never made use of the Commons prior to this occasion (save briefly walking through with a few friend and their dog one sunny afternoon).

Seeing so many people enjoying the oval makes me feel better about paying property taxes, free skating and free rentals OMG right? When you see all the heads swirling around you think it’s too crowded but the space is so large there’s no problem. I’m not a good skater and spent most of the time tiptoeing around the edges; it’s a long way around without boards to grab on to! I got my skates sharpened and toe picks ground off so wish me luck on my next try.
Maybe some snacks that aren’t deep fried and skate sharpening please?

Can you give the Oval anything but five stars? It’s free, it’s in Halifax, and for once we actually got something we wanted.
I’m not a good skater — no really, I’m terrible. I’m nervous, I can’t look up from the ice, and I’m incapable of making conversation and skating at the same time — but I still really enjoy it here. I’m so glad we have the Oval in Halifax, it has really livened up my winter. Especially since I’m not a big skiier.

Having the Oval return to the Commons is probably the best thing that could happen over winter.
I’m not a great skater, but that doesn’t really matter. It’s fun just to try! And, the space is huge, so you can spread out and take things at your own pace. It’s nice to see old and young people getting out and doing something active in the cold season.
Skate rentals are available (for free!) and all you need to do is trade your ID for a pair. The surface is very well kept, and I think it’s possible to have the ice stable up to +10 degrees, which will hopefully extend the length of time we can use the Oval this season.
There is plenty of space to observe or sit and watch (also lots of space for storing shoes while you are skating). My only wish is that there were more «boards» around the ice so I could have a spot or two to catch my balance! (Really though, I just need to learn to skate a bit better).
Oh, and don’t forget a few $ for a beavertail.

I went skating on the Oval a few days ago, was my first skate of the year. I am a big fan of the Oval and I am so pleased it has returned for another year. It’s a great activity and they sell snacks there. Who doesnt love Beaver tails and fried food!
If you haven’t been, I suggest you strap on your skates and head down there this weekend.

When the oval first appeared last year, I was pretty stoked. It was a temporary structure for the 2011 Canada Winter Games. Doomed to close and disappear like most of the cool things in our fair city.
Then, by some miraculous turn of events, the people of HRM rallied together and the oval became a permanent fixture!
Whether you feel like you’re strapping butter knives to your feet or can skate like the wind, the oval is great for all levels and abilities.
For all the stupid things that sometimes happen in the Commons, it’s nice to see something as awesome as the oval. Wooohoo!