Emera Oval

Important notice to all groups (organizations, clubs, camps, schools, etc):

If your group will have more than 5 people in attendance, you will need to make a group booking; please see the group booking information below for details.

Groups of 5 & under can use one id and do not require a group booking.
An additional id is required for any groups / families that exceed 5 people.
- ie: 6 people require 2 id’s, 11 people require 3 id’s, etc.
It is always advisable for organizations to make a group booking (even if your group numbers fall under 20 people), as we cannot guarantee that sufficient equipment will be available.

The Emera Oval is an outdoor year-round facility located on the Halifax Common. In the winter, the Emera Oval transforms into the largest outdoor, artificially refrigerated ice surface East of Quebec City equivalent to the size of three NHL hockey rinks.

The Emera Oval is scheduled to open on June 1, 2024, for the season. Please check the website for closures due to weather or special events. Cancellations can happen at the last moment due to weather conditions.

In addition to free public skates, the Emera Oval offers:

free equipment rentals
public washrooms
first aid
an accessible washroom, accessible parking and wheelchair access on the outside lane of the skating surface only

Group bookings are available with advance registration.

Frequently asked questions

What are the rules and regulations for the Emera Oval?

Participation at The Emera Oval is at your own risk. The Emera Oval and the Halifax Regional Municipality are not responsible for any accident, injury, loss or damage. Helmets are mandatory for all users. In the winter, children 12 years of age and under must wear a CSA approved multi-impact helmet (hockey helmet). During the other seasons, users must wear a multi-impact or bicycle helmet while on the concrete surface.

Skaters may not enter the ice until the ice resurfacing is complete. Skaters must leave the ice promptly at the end of a session. Skates must be worn on ice surface at all times. Shoes and boots not permitted. Skaters should use appropriate speed during public sessions. During the

Winter: Slower skaters use outside lane. Faster skaters use inside lane.
Other seasons: Big wheels (bikes and trikes) use outside lane. Small wheels (skateboards, rollerblades, etc.) use inside lane.
No more than two people may join hands; chain skating is not permitted.
Hockey sticks, pucks or any type of equipment are not permitted.
Eating or drinking is not permitted on ice surface.
Strollers and wheelchairs are permitted on the ice in the outside lane, children in strollers must wear a CSA hockey helmet.
Skate in a counterclockwise direction at all times.
Please do not loiter in areas that may block major traﬃc ﬂow.
Directions of Skating Monitors are to be obeyed at all times. Your safety is our utmost priority!
Hockey helmets are mandatory for any registered municipal Skating/Sledge Lessons regardless of age.

Do I need to register in advance to skate?

While individuals are not required to register in advance, organized group bookings for between 20 and 75 people should be made at least two weeks in advance. Visit our group bookings webpage for details.

Do you also service equipment brought from home?

No. We do not service equipment brought from home. This includes filling tires, adjusting seats, tightening equipment, taking off training wheels, skate sharpening, etc.

Is there a vending machine on-site for food and drink?

No. We encourage residents to eat and drink before visiting the Emera Oval or packing snacks and drinks to consume when you’re off the ice or concrete surface.

Why is the Emera Oval closed?

Reasons for closures may include:

Ice conditions
Storm days (schools are closed)
Weather
Temperatures
Rain
Safety

How do I get to the Emera Oval?

The Emera Oval is located on the Halifax North Common at the corner of North Street and Cogswell Street. We encourage individuals to use active transportation to get to the Emera Oval. This includes using Halifax Transit, bike lanes or walking.

Where do I park?

There is no parking on site at the Emera Oval. We encourage individuals to use active transportation to get to the Emera Oval. This includes using Halifax Transit, bike lanes or walking.

Can I use the Emera Oval anytime of the day or night?

Please refer to the Emera Oval schedule for times the surface is available to be used.

What are safe helmet practices?

New accordion content

A proper helmet should:

Fit comfortably on top of your head and sit low on your forehead, just above the eyebrow.
Not move if you shake your head.
Have an outer shell, inner protective liner, chin straps that hold the helmet firmly in place, and adjustable sizing pads.
Meet CPSC, CSA or Snell standards.

For additional information on helmet safety, visit the Province of Nova Scotia webpage on injury prevention and helmet use.

Equipment rentals

The Emera Oval offers free rentals during our operating hours with valid Government issued ID.
Free equipment rental options include:

Roller blades
Roller skates
Skateboards
Scooters
Bikes
Helmets
Protective equipment (elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards)

Residents are also welcome to use the Emera Oval with their own human-powered equipment.

E-powered or other fuel-powered equipment is not permitted to ensure the safety of all users.

Acceptable Forms of ID

The Emera Oval offers “Free Equipment Rentals” with a Government Issued Photo ID. Equipment.

We accept the following types of ID when borrowing equipment;

Driver’s License
Passport
Military ID
Firearm License
Service NS ID card
Citizenship Card
Permanent Resident Card
Status Card

Sensory Friendly Skate Times:

The Emera Oval offers “Sensory Skate” hours on Mondays & Wednesdays between 4:00-5:00 p.m. Participants are reminded to check the website before heading out as skate times may be cancelled or delayed due to inclement weather.

It will feature:

No music or announcements
Decrease in tasks that result in loud noise.
Limited number of people inside the rental hut at a time.
Low/Quiet voices encouraged.
Slower skating encouraged – NO horseplay or large groups.
Free access to equipment.

Adaptive equipment

We're pleased to offer the following adaptive equipment at the Emera Oval:

Adult and Child Tricycles
2 hand tricycles
A-Linkers
Sledges
Hippocampe
Double tricycle

Please note that you must be 18+ to ride the trikes and double trikes due to flipping hazards. See photos of our adaptive equipment in the gallery at the bottom of this page.