Stuart Park, British Columbia
Stuart Park is a park located near Okanagan Lake in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
In 2015, the Canadian Institute of Planners named it the greatest public space in Canada.[1]
Seasonal Operation
Summer
During the summer months, concrete surface functions as an open public plaza.[2] The space is used for community events, public gatherings, performances, and recreational activities in downtown Kelowna.[3]
The City of Kelowna regularly programs the plaza with seasonal events and activities, including outdoor fitness classes, live entertainment, markets, and family-oriented programming.[3] In recent years, the city has also hosted roller skating events at Stuart Park in partnership with local skating organizations including organized Roller Nights and roller skate rental programs.[4][5]
Winter
During the winter season, the central plaza at Stuart Park is converted into a public outdoor skating rink.[2] The rink operates daily throughout the winter season, weather and maintenance permitting, and offers free public skating with skate rentals available on site.[2]
The outdoor rink opened as part of the Stuart Park redevelopment project completed in 2010.[6] Since opening, it has become a prominent winter recreation facility in downtown Kelowna and attracts both residents and visitors.[7]
Unlike a natural ice surface, the rink uses a mechanically refrigerated system to maintain skating conditions during periods of mild winter weather.[8] A network of underground piping beneath the concrete slab circulates coolant through the skating surface, allowing the ice to be maintained even when ambient temperatures rise above freezing.[8][9] According to the City of Kelowna's rink operators, refrigerant and glycol are pumped from equipment located at City Hall through underground infrastructure connected to the rink.[7]
What do I need to do before skating at Stuart Park?
The rink is open for drop-in use. No reservations are needed to skate in the park. It is recommended to check the live cam before heading down to the rink. Rentals for skates and bars are available on-site. For added COVID-19 Safety, please bring your own protective gear such as helmets, hand sanitizer, and face coverings. Rentals are open from 11 am to 8 pm daily, depending on the weather. If the temperature is below -10°C, the rental shop will be closed.[10]
| Rents | Price |
|---|---|
| Kids Skates | $4.00 |
| Adult Skates | $5.00 |
| Helmets | $2.00 |
| E-Z Bars | $2.00 |
References
- ↑ Kelowna's Stuart Park named greatest public space in Canada for 2015
- 1 2 3 "Stuart Park". City of Kelowna. 2016-07-07. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
- 1 2 "Summer fun for everyone: 8 free events to attend this season". City of Kelowna. 2025-05-29. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
- ↑ "Old school roller-skating vibes abound at Kelowna, B.C. event - Okanagan | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
- ↑ Jun 4, Brayden Ursel-; Story: 430124, 2023 / 4:00 am |. "Roller skates available for rent at Stuart Park this summer". www.castanet.net. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ "New Stuart Park gets ice rink in Kelowna, British Columbia". Journal Of Commerce. 2009-11-30. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
- 1 2 "Outdoor rink at Stuart Park to close Wednesday for season - Okanagan | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
- 1 2 reports, Staff (2024-12-04). "Holiday magic: Air conditioning, hard work keep downtown Kelowna frostastic". Kelowna Capital News. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
- ↑ "Opening of Stuart Park rink delayed | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
- 1 2 "Stuart Park". City of Kelowna. 2016-07-07. Retrieved 2022-01-19.