Public Service Announcement

Safety First with Outdoor Skating

(March 8, 2011) In light of recent warming trends, HRM wants to remind citizens to always use caution when skating outdoors.

HRM shows many of the surfaces past the safety reading for individual skating and some for group skating as per Red Cross recommendations (15 cm for individual skating and 21 cm for group skating). However, the surfaces across the region remain variable and citizens wanting to skate on outdoor lakes and ponds should always be wary of the recent temperatures which would factor in to the conditions and thickness.

Over the winter months, ice thickness testing is randomly done on each lake and gives a general average of conditions which can vary over the entire surface. However, this is the last week of ice testing as staff has noticed spots of open water due to rain and warm temperatures. These conditions are offering readings which are not consistent due the freeze /thaw cycle. The last results for the season will be posted at www.halifax.ca ( http://www.halifax.ca/ )under ‘Ice Thickness Reports’ once complete.

This service is provided with the understanding that anyone using the lakes does so at their own risk. HRM tests approximately 80 lakes and ponds.

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Contact:

Shaune MacKinlay, Manager
HRM Public Affairs
490-6531