Sault Downtown Plaza sees big winter turnout
The City of Sault Ste. Marie is expecting a busy summer at the Downtown Plaza. City officials say the plaza is coming off a successful first winter season, which saw large crowds gathering at the outdoor rink.
Virginia McLeod, the city’s manager of recreation and culture, said the rink saw more than 16,000 skaters this winter, which amounts to nearly half the number the city sees at all of its outdoor rinks combined.
“Obviously, this winter was an anomaly, so the number of days that we were actually open at our other outdoor locations was quite minimal,” McLeod said.
“But it is a very significant number and we’re very pleased with the attendance this year.”
Now that ice skating is finished for the season, the city is turning its attention to other recreational possibilities for the skating pad.
“We have had the roller skating group reaching out to us, so we’re going to be meeting with them to see what opportunities exist for roller skating,” said McLeod.
“We do have to be mindful -- there is some drain areas within the rink, so that’s something we’ll have to discuss with them to make sure those areas are protected and it’s not going to cause a trip hazard.”
McLeod said the Soo Market has played a significant role in the plaza’s success, and the city is looking to build on that.
“I know the market days are extremely busy, the feedback has been very positive throughout the year,” she said.
“So, we’re looking forward to a summer season, expanding the number of vendors that’ll be available during those market days.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members today during a ceremony at British Columbia's legislature cenotaph commemorating the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.