Ice rink slated to close permanently in March 2027

October 28, 2026

In 2023, the University of Victoria made the difficult decision to permanently close the ice rink at the Ian Stewart Complex, recognizing that given its age, the ongoing operational and capital costs were no longer sustainable.

UVic took deliberate steps to extend the lifespan of the facility, first committing to maintain operations through March 2026 to support rink users to transition to other facilities. Following interim repairs completed in 2024, the university invested additional effort and resources to extend operations for a further year, reducing disruption and providing users with greater flexibility to plan their next steps.

Despite ongoing maintenance and repairs over the years, the ice rink has reached the end of its life span and will be closed, as scheduled, on March 31, 2027.

While we provided four years of notice so our rink users could make alternative arrangements, we recognize the challenges associated with this closure given the need for more ice surfaces in the region.

The university is planning to enter into an agreement with UVic Properties to transfer management of the site to them. Over the shorter term, UVic Properties will work to identify lease opportunities for the facility. Over the longer term, the university plans to redevelop the Ian Stewart Complex to create a new mixed-use University District as part of the UVic real estate strategy.