Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti isn’t usually shy about dressing the part to be in the spotlight.
But don’t expect to see him on skates Saturday for the grand opening celebration of the Civic Centre outdoor ice rink — the largest of its kind in the GTA.
“I’ll leave that to more professional skaters,” Mr. Scarpitti said.
The inaugural skating season on the $4.1-million artificial ice rink, which features the state-of-the-art Eco Chill system from Cimco Refrigeration, will be given a workout by Toronto Maple Leaf Mike Komisarek and Carlton the Bear, former Olympic skater Steven Cousins, 2010 Team Canada player Becky Kellar and former Maple Leaf Steve Thomas.
Other skating performances will be presented by the Markham and Unionville skating clubs, with speed skating relay and ice sculpting demonstrations as well.
Australian tenor Tim McCallum will set the mood and a community skate and fireworks will follow.
The party, previously budgeted at about $20,000, is expected to attract about 2,000 people.
Mayor Scarpitti said while the construction of the ice rink was aimed to increase recreational opportunities in the community, he anticipates other people from the region, North York and Scarborough will use it, too. It will be a cultural and local tourism destination, the mayor said.
The Civic Centre celebration is 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, followed by public skating to 10 p.m.
Bring your own skates.
The rink will remain open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, December to March. Asif Khan, ABR
www.asifkhan.ca
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
Re/Max Hall of Fame
But don’t expect to see him on skates Saturday for the grand opening celebration of the Civic Centre outdoor ice rink — the largest of its kind in the GTA.
“I’ll leave that to more professional skaters,” Mr. Scarpitti said.
The inaugural skating season on the $4.1-million artificial ice rink, which features the state-of-the-art Eco Chill system from Cimco Refrigeration, will be given a workout by Toronto Maple Leaf Mike Komisarek and Carlton the Bear, former Olympic skater Steven Cousins, 2010 Team Canada player Becky Kellar and former Maple Leaf Steve Thomas.
Other skating performances will be presented by the Markham and Unionville skating clubs, with speed skating relay and ice sculpting demonstrations as well.
Australian tenor Tim McCallum will set the mood and a community skate and fireworks will follow.
The party, previously budgeted at about $20,000, is expected to attract about 2,000 people.
Mayor Scarpitti said while the construction of the ice rink was aimed to increase recreational opportunities in the community, he anticipates other people from the region, North York and Scarborough will use it, too. It will be a cultural and local tourism destination, the mayor said.
The Civic Centre celebration is 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, followed by public skating to 10 p.m.
Bring your own skates.
The rink will remain open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, December to March. Asif Khan, ABR
www.asifkhan.ca
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
Re/Max Hall of Fame