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
NEW How car thefts are impacting your insurance, even if your car isn't stolen
As the number of auto theft incidents rises in Canada, so have insurance premiums for drivers, even the ones whose vehicles aren't stolen.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
'I'm not wealthy': Ontario senior shocked she owes $40,000 in capital gains after gifting land
An Ontario senior who wanted to help her daughter and grandson eventually own homes one day decided to give them two lots on her property as a gift—but she didn’t know it would eventually cost her tens of thousands of dollars.
opinion Trump's Republicans falling far behind in fundraising, infrastructure
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, Washington political analyst Eric Ham explains how and why Republicans -- up and down the ballot -- are falling far behind Democrats in both fundraising and infrastructure.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
McDonald's says US$18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
Oilers rally to beat Stars, tie Western Conference Final
With the Edmonton Oilers down two goals late in the first period of Game 4, Rogers Place was quiet, fans seemingly bewildered at the early, quick scoring of the Dallas Stars and the slow start by the home team. Ryan McLeod's marker with six-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame left changed all that.
DEVELOPING Jurors in Trump's hush money trial zero in on testimony of key witnesses as deliberations resume
The jury in Donald Trump’s hush money trial is to resume deliberations Thursday after asking to rehear potentially crucial testimony about the alleged hush money scheme at the heart of the history-making case.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.