The wait is over. The Bentway Skate Trail opens this Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 11 AM. Come join us opening weekend as we launch our skate trail and our Winter Season – January 6 to mid-March (weather permitting).

Highlights for Saturday, January 6, 2018
Musical Performances:

SingingOUT (12:30 – 12:45 PM)

T.Dot BANGERZ Brass (2:40 – 2:55 PM)

Carmen Braden (3:00 – 3:20 PM, 6:05 – 6:25 PM)

Charmie Deller (5:40 – 6 PM)

DJ Sets:

Fawn Big Canoe (11:16 AM – 12:16 PM)

Dirty Dale (1:00 – 2:40 PM)

DJ Steph Honey (3:25 – 5 PM)

DJ Shub (7:00 – 8:25 PM)

Skratch Bastid (8:25 – 9:30 PM)

Nino Brown (9:30 – 11 PM)

Special Appearances:

Meet & Greet with Olympic Canadian skaters Lubov Ilyushechkina & Dylan Moscovitch (11:20 AM – 1:20 PM)

Ice Breaking Demonstrations by the Toronto Ice Skate Group
(12:55 – 1:00 PM, 5:15 – 5:20 PM)

Highlights for Sunday, January 7, 2018

Mayor’s Skate Party (1 – 4 PM):  Free hot chocolate, skate rentals and family-friendly music by UforChange DJs Trevoy Williams (DJORK) and Michelle Lima (DJ Money Jane)

Official remarks by Mayor John Tory (1:30 PM)

Ongoing Weekend Opportunities
Strongbow Lounge: Licensed bar serving up Molson-Coors products (Saturday: 5 – 11 PM, Sunday: 5 – 9 PM)

Pop-up ice houses with family friendly activities

Pop-up curling with Rock Solid Productions

Public art exhibition Constructions of the Everyday with Janice Qimirpik, Moe Kelly, Embassy of Imagination and PA System, Jimmy Limit, Janine Miedzik, Public Visualization Studio and Jennifer Ilett.

Free admission to Fort York National Historic Site with countless events including a historic selfie booth and free lantern tours on Saturday night

Ongoing Winter Programming

Free Monday Night Skate Rentals: Provided by Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (6 – 9 PM)

Beats and Bents: Friday night skate parties with a rotating cast of DJs starting Friday, January 12

Turn it Out: Friday drop-in DJ and Ice Breaking Workshops with UforChange and the Toronto Ice Skate Group starting January 12 on a bi-weekly basis

Curated Food Truck Program: Serving hot food, warm and cold drinks, and decadent desserts

HOURS OF OPERATION
Skate rentals available throughout the seasonThe Bentway Skate Trail Hours
Monday – Thursday: 11 AM – 9 PM
Friday & Saturday: 11 AM – 11 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 9 PM

Skate Rentals Available

Monday – Thursday: 4 PM – 9 PM
Friday: 4 PM – 11 PM
Saturday: 11 AM – 11 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 9 PM

DIRECTIONS
The Bentway Skate Trail is located under the Gardiner Expressway right beside the Fort York Visitor Centre (250 Fort York Blvd.) between Strachan Ave. and Bathurst St. It is 220m and stretches from just east of the Visitor Centre to Bastion St.

PARKING:
1. Paid parking at 800 Fleet St TTC:
1. 511 Bathurst at Fort York Blvd
2. 509 Harbourfront at Fleet St
3. 121 Fort York-Esplanade at Gzowski Blvd (westbound) or Bastion St (eastbound)

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment, and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors, and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats. Reach out - bryen@thebuzzmag.ca