LACE UP YOUR SKATES, TORONTO! THE BENTWAY ANNOUNCES WINTER 2019/20 SKATE SEASON

The Bentway transforms into a uniquely urban winter wonderland with the December 20 opening of its 220 metre skate trail. Seasonal activities include a winter village, free skate days, the popular Polar Bear Skate and more.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Toronto, ON] - The Bentway, the innovative public space project underneath Toronto’s Gardiner Expressway, today announced a December 20 opening date for the site’s beloved 220 metre figure-eight skate trail. Through the holiday season and into 2020, The Bentway will bring families and friends together around the skate trail with a full slate of activities and events to encourage city-dwellers to discover, re-imagine, and redefine this space for themselves.

Over the holidays from December 20, 2019 to January 5, 2020, The Bentway will open up its skate trail seven days a week from 12 - 9 p.m. An on-site winter village will offer hot chocolate and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for skaters and spectators, while warming stations will help visitors get toasty before getting back on the ice. Can’t skate? No problem! The Bentway will offer recurring free skate lessons for kids and adults. On-site skate rentals are available daily.

The Bentway’s winter programming doesn’t stop once the holidays are over. Programming in 2020 continues from January 6 to February 17, 2020. Skate trail hours will shift to 5 - 9 p.m. on weekdays and 12 - 9 p.m. on weekends. Plus, extended hours on PA Days and Family Day (the Skate Trail will be open from 12 - 9 p.m. on both January 17 and February 17, 2020) ensure The Bentway is a key family-friendly winter activity hub.

A Toronto favourite returns: Much like the Polar Bear Dip, but with a twist, The Bentway will host their second annual Polar Bear Skate on December 29, inviting adventurous Torontonians to skate the trail in their bathing suits for a refreshing - and unconventional - winter event. All pre-registrants will receive a free hot chocolate, and of course, bragging rights.

“The Bentway is about potential and curiosity. We pride ourselves in being able to offer a unique and contemporary experience, and that doesn’t stop once the snow covers the concrete,” says Ilana Altman, Co-Executive Director of Programming at The Bentway. “We’re excited to be able to invite Torontonians and visitors to the city to discover our sense of imagination this winter.”

Additional details of the winter season will be announced in early December.

For more details on the Winter 2019/20 skate season, visit thebentway.ca.

The Bentway is supported by the City of Toronto, Maxine Granovsky Gluskin & Ira Gluskin, Richard M. Ivey, Frances & Tim Price, Rosamond Ivey, Mazyar Mortazavi & Bita Doagoo, Howard Sokolowski & Linda Frum, Donald K. Johnson O.C. & Anna McCowan-Johnson, DiamondCorp, and a growing family of supporters.

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using @TheBentway and YouTube

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