Speed skating oval a hit

Written by Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff


January 15, 2021



A young one gives the thumbs up for the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval hours sign. (Photo by Johnny Marciniuk)

Lots of options for public skating

The Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval is a hit.

Since the oval opened up for the 2020-21 season this past Dec. 15, 2020, we’ve seen a good influx of people coming to use the facility during public skating hours. We’ve also fielded a number of calls answering questions from first time users too.

We are happy and humbled to see the interest. The oval is here to provide recreation and physical activity opportunities for you.

The Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club has called the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval home since 1942 and continues to contribute to the Gordie Howe Sports Complex in various ways. In December, the club secured a grant to provide additional public skating opportunities at the oval.

The grant the Lions secured allowed public skating hours to be extended until 10 p.m. from Monday through Thursday for the rest of the season.

The Lions have helped make the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval a hub of winter activity for the City of Saskatoon with a number of options for public skating.

Public skating hours are as follows:

Public Skating Hours *Free of Charge
Monday- Thursday: 11:30 am – 3:30 pm & 7:00 pm- 10 pm
Friday: Closed to the Public
Saturday: 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am- 6:00 pm

Getting to the oval is easy

It is quite easy to get access to the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval.

The oval entrance is located at the south corner of Dudley Street and Avenue R. The entrance is the same one that is used to get to the Leakos Field and Cairns Field baseball parks.

Signage is in place to direct you to the parking lot of the oval.

The map below can be used as a helpful tool to get to the oval’s entrance.

Public Health Order guidelines still in place

To comply with Public Health Orders, a maximum of 30 skaters will be allowed on the ice at any one time.

Non-medial face masks must be worn at all times in the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval area including the ice surface and warm-up area.

The new Multi-Sport Centre that will serve the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval is under construction, but there are temporary washroom and changing facilities. A maximum of 15 people may use the warm-up building at a time and 3 metres of distance must me maintained in accordance with Public Health Orders.

Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff will monitor number accordingly to ensure all restrictions are followed.

The Gordie Howe Sports Complex hopes all users of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval will have an enjoyable skating season. All skating skill levels are welcome to enjoy the 400-metre outdoor oval and speed skates are not necessary.

A couple of skaters enjoy public skating at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. (Photo by Darren Steinke)