Published on December 18, 2024

Don’t Roll the Dice on Ice

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The outdoor rinks and freezeways are open for neighbourhood shinny games, figure skating practice and learning to skate. But before you tighten those laces and sharpen those blades, remember that not all ice surfaces are equal and to practice ice safety.

Neighbourhood Rinks

Did you know there are 30 boarded ice and social surfaces and two freezeways to enjoy in St. Albert? From Kingswood to Rotary Park, there is a social ice surface for everyone to enjoy. Before you head out, so you know which outdoor boarded rinks and social surfaces are open and ready to enjoy, check out our updated ice condition and outdoor rink location list

Sturgeon River

The Sturgeon River runs through St. Albert and was once used for transportation, fishing, farming, swimming and even skating. However, times have changed, temperatures have shifted and the river receives more direct run-off from the stormwater management systems that influence ice conditions. The Sturgeon River is NOT safe for walking, skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, vehicles and any recreational activity. It may be tempting to venture out onto the surface, but it could result in injury or death. Water is continuously flowing beneath the ice, and it is never safe to walk on.

Storm Water Management Facilities

When you walk around St. Albert, chances are there is a stormwater management facility nearby. These may look like a pond and a small ice rink in the winter, but they are unsafe for all outdoor activities. A stormwater management facility’s primary function is to collect stormwater in neighbourhoods, remove sediment and reduce flooding of streets and yards from rainfall, groundwater, melting snow and spring run-off. Stormwater management facilities experience fluctuating water levels, varied water quality and temperature changes from weather conditions making them unpredictable all winter long. Don’t ignore the caution signs surrounding these areas, stay off this ice!

Staying Safe on the Ice

If the unexpected occurs, and you or someone else has fallen through the ice, follow these steps.

If you fall through the ice:

Call out for help.
Resist the urge to climb back where you fell in.
Get into a floating position on your stomach.
Reach forward onto the broken ice without pushing down – kick your legs and push your torso onto the ice flat.
Once you are back on the ice, crawl on your stomach or roll away from the open area with your arms and legs spread out as far as possible to evenly distribute your weight. Do not stand up!
Look for shore and make sure you are heading in the right direction.

If someone else falls through the ice:

Call 911.
Yell out rescue steps to the person.
Have them place their arms on the ice shelf and kick feet to thrust their chest onto the ice.
Instruct the individual to roll onto the ice shelf away from the hole they created.
Once away from the hole, direct the individual to crawl towards the nearest shoreline .
Stay with the person until help arrives.

(Source: Canadian Red Cross, 2019)

For more information about ice safety visit the Outdoor Ice Safety page