The coolest volunteer opportunity in town: Natural ice rink volunteers needed

Love skating close to home? Be part of the community effort that keeps local rinks open all season.

Mississauga residents can help bring winter fun to their neighbourhoods by volunteering to help create and maintain natural ice rinks in neighbourhood parks this winter.

Each year, dedicated volunteers work to create and care for outdoor rinks in local parks across the city. These rinks give residents free places to skate, play hockey and enjoy the outdoors all winter long. Volunteer support is key to keeping neighbourhood rinks open and ready for winter fun.

Residents who are interested to volunteer can apply online by November 15.

Neighbourhood rinks rely on community volunteers

Natural ice rinks are a long-standing winter tradition in Mississauga and across Canada.

Unlike larger skating facilities, natural ice rinks depend on local volunteers to maintain the ice throughout the season. In the 2025-2026 winter season, 102 volunteers helped create welcoming outdoor rinks for their community.

Without volunteer support, neighbourhood natural ice rinks would not be possible.

What it takes to keep a rink running

Keeping a neighbourhood rink in great shape takes teamwork. Volunteers will be required to:

• Flood and maintain the ice surface.
• Clear snow after winter weather events.
• Monitor rink conditions.
• Assist with general rink upkeep.
• Work with fellow volunteers to help keep the rink safe and enjoyable for residents.

New and returning volunteers are welcome to apply. Each rink requires a minimum of three volunteers, and additional participants to help share the workload. Experienced volunteers help welcome new volunteers and share their knowledge to keep the program running strong year after year.

The City will ensure that volunteers have the equipment needed to maintain the ice rinks, including a heated rink hut with a water hydrant, hoses, spray nozzles, shovels, ice scrapers, signage and instructions on how to build and maintain the rink.

Volunteers should be prepared to tend to the rink after snowfall and adapt to changing winter conditions. Volunteers typically support rink operations from around mid-December to mid-March, depending on the weather.

Make a difference close to home

Many volunteers are also regular rink users who take pride in creating a winter gathering place for their family, friends and neighbours to enjoy. While the work can be physically demanding at times, volunteers share tasks and support one another throughout the season.

By keeping local rinks open, the volunteers and other residents can stay active throughout the season.

How to sign up

Residents interested in volunteering can learn more about the program, view participating rink locations and complete a volunteer application by visiting mississauga.ca/outdooricerinks.

Applications will be accepted until November 15, 2026.

Tags

• Parks and Forestry
• Recreation and Sports