You Can Now Ice Skate at Alberta’s Lions Campground

Lions Campground (Okotoks, Alberta) tied up with the Okotoks Lions Club to transform one of the campground’s loops into a skating track, following last year’s well-loved loop in Laudan Park.

“Last year’s skating loop was super popular, and citizens really loved it and we wanted to be able to do it again,” said Town of Okotoks parks manager Christa Michailuck.

The site answered the drawbacks that the town encountered with the Laudan loop.

“We found that the site we used last year was pretty exposed to the elements and got a little too much solar radiation, and it was hard to retain the ice for very long,” Michailuck said.

Lions Campground manager Pauline Krause was thrilled to see skaters enjoying the park during the winter slack time.

Should the initiative prove an overall success for all involved, she added that the trail could be extended to cover more of the camping lanes.

Great outdoor spaces carry significant responsibilities, Michailuck pointed out, and both the Lions and the town’s staff would like the area to be taken care of with respect.

“We’re just asking for the public to be respectful because the Lions do manage that site and like to keep it in good condition for the campground season,” Michailuck said, adding the fire pits are out of bounds for the time being. “So we ask that people make sure they pack out their litter or use the garbage receptacles provided, and do not use the fire pits or other amenities.”

For more information about the Lions Campground skating trail or other ice-skating surfaces in Okotoks, visit okotoks.ca/rinks.