The City of Kamloops is excited to invite residents to celebrate the grand opening of the new mini rink at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre, 1655 Island Parkway, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, from 4:15 to 6:15 pm.

This free community event will feature public skating, prizes, and a chance to celebrate the latest addition to Kamloops’ recreational infrastructure. The new mini rink is part of the Build Kamloops initiative and aims to build capacity for ice sports and create more opportunities for residents to stay active and engaged.

The mini rink is designed to support U-7 and U-9 hockey development by providing a scaled-down ice surface that aligns with Hockey Canada’s best practices. It also increases overall ice availability for skating clubs, public skating and creates additional ice time for older age groups at other full-sized rinks, helping meet the growing demand for ice time in Kamloops.

In a creative and cost-saving move, the City repurposed netting from the Sandman Centre to outfit the new facility—an example of sustainable thinking and resourcefulness in municipal planning.

Lace up your skates, enjoy some fun on the ice, and be part of this exciting new chapter in Kamloops recreation.

Event Highlights:

• ribbon-cutting ceremony
• free skate on the new rink (skate rentals available)
• light refreshments
• prizes and giveaways

“This project is a win for youth development and community recreation,” said Sherri Holmes, Sport, Recreation, and Wellness Manager. “It’s a great example of how we’re investing in facilities that serve residents of all ages. We’re excited to welcome the public to celebrate this milestone with us.”