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City of Nanaimo renews Winter Wonderland skate tradition

Skating event takes place Dec. 24 and 26-30 at Frank Crane Arena
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The City of Nanaimo will host its free Winter Wonderland skates on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-30. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

City of Nanaimo’s Winter Wonderland skating event will make a return this year, offering people an opportunity to stay fit and be festive over the Christmas break.

The Winter Wonderland skating event takes place at Frank Crane Arena on Friday, Dec. 24, and from Sunday, Dec. 26, to Thursday, Dec. 30, with no charge for helmet and skates. Skating sessions are $1, with some free sponsored sessions, and the Nanaimo Kinsmen will host a pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 27 at Beban Park social centre.

The arena will be decked out to add to the holiday atmosphere, with lights, a 30-foot Christmas tree and the rink decorated with a snow globe theme, stated the press release.

Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog said he was pleased the city was holding the event this year.

“It is great to be able to once again offer the full Winter Wonderland event to our community after the COVID-19 restrictions that were in place at this time last year,” Krog said in the press release. “Thanks to the many community businesses and organizations who have partnered with the [city], residents will get the chance to skate at a variety of sessions in a festively decorated Frank Crane Arena.”

In order to adhere to B.C. government health orders, people aged 12 years and older must show proof of vaccination to gain access and masks must be worn by those five years and older when skating.

In other holiday news, Santa Claus will be swimming at Nanaimo Aquatic Centre Saturday, Dec. 18 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

For more on Winter Wonderland, go www.nanaimo.ca and click on News and Events, under the Your Government tab.

READ ALSO: City eyes sports tourism as post-COVID-19 economic driver


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