​New outdoor rinks will bring more opportunities for recreation and community connection; enjoy a lineup of free Family Day activities across Brampton

BRAMPTON, ON (February 9, 2026) – The City of Brampton is inviting residents to celebrate Family Day weekend with the official opening of the City’s newest winter recreation destination at the Sandalwood Park​ NHL-Sized Outdoor Ice Rinks, alongside a full weekend of free, family-friendly activities happening across Brampton.

Located at 130 Conestoga Drive, the new NHL-sized outdoor ice rinks will officially open to the public over Family Day weekend with a special community celebration featuring former NHL Stanley Cup champion Gary Roberts and Toronto Sceptres forward Maggie Connors. Residents will have the chance to skate, play and connect in a vibrant outdoor setting designed for all ages and skill levels, generously sponsored by Sheridan College and Tim Hortons. 

Save the date | Grand opening of the Sandalwood Park NHL-Sized Outdoor Ice Rinks

Date: Saturday, February 14, 2026
Time: 12 pm to 2 pm
Location: 130 Conestoga Dr., Brampton, ON

News Release-City of Brampton invites residents to celebrate Family Day at the grand opening of Sandalwood Park’s NHL-sized outdoor ice rinks.jpg​Adding to the 12 outdoor rinks in Brampton, the new NHL-sized rinks at Sandalwood Park create more local, high-quality spaces to learn and play. Credit: City of Brampton

The two new NHL-standard outdoor ice rinks feature:
  • ​High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) boards with acrylic glass, designed for durability, weather resistance and low maintenance.
  • Full rink kick plates for improved puck visibility.
  • NHL-standard goals measuring six feet by four feet, with a deep base.
  • Protective netting behind goals to keep spectators safe.
  • Divider curtains for splitting the rink during practices, training or events.
  • Weatherproof digital scoreboard for official games.
  • LED floodlights and string lights, providing optimal lighting for night games and ambiance for casual skates.
  • Chiller system and ice resurfacing machine, ensuring consistent ice quality throughout the season. 
The new rinks will provide wide-ranging benefits to the community, offering a safe, inclusive and accessible space for both athletes and families. Residents will have more opportunities to stay active during the winter months, while young players can develop their skills in a professional-quality setting. Beyond sports, the rinks will serve as a community hub, encouraging social connection, hosting events and tournaments and contributing to Brampton’s growing reputation as a city that invests in recreation and quality of life. During the summer months, Sandalwood Park will continue to function as a key sport and recreation destination in northwest Brampton, with the rinks repurposed for ball hockey and other sports, enhancements to the existing tennis court retrofitted to also accommodate pickleball and additional parking to improve visitor access.

This project reflects the City’s commitment to delivering high-quality recreation spaces through responsible investments that maximize value for residents, building on projects such as the Earnscliffe Park Cricket Facility and the recently opened Rosalea Park Tennis Facility

Discover everything Sandalwood Park has to offer and experience its new and enhanced amenities. For more information, visit brampton.ca/sandalwoodrinks. The rinks are also available for private bookings, including community events, celebrations and organized sports. To book the space or inquire about rentals, call 905.874.2665 or email facilityrentals@brampton.ca​.

New location for Brampton’s Youth Sport Development Program with Coach Phil Oreskovic

The new rinks will also serve as an additional location for Brampton’s free drop-in Youth Sport Development Program, which launched last winter with former Canadian professional hockey player and Brampton native, Phil Oreskovic.

During the winter session, the program provides youth aged 4 to 15 the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of hockey through entry-level instruction at their local rink. Each session includes expert coaching to help participants build foundational skills in skating, passing, shooting and teamwork, fostering confidence, sportsmanship and a lifelong love for the game.
Programs are weather-permitting, and participants are encouraged to check outdoor rink status before visiting. Participants are required to bring their own equipment, including skates, a CSA-approved helmet with a face mask, shin pads, a hockey stick and hockey gloves.

Youth Hockey Development sessions over Family Day weekend
Youth Hockey Development sessions with Coach Phil Oreskovic will be offered over Family Day weekend:

Date: Saturday, February 14
Time: 12 to 12:30 pm
Location: Sandalwood Park Rink #2, 130 Conestoga Dr., Brampton, ON

Date: Monday, February 16
Time: 10 am to 1 pm
Location: Gore Meadows Covered Outdoor Rink, 10150 The Gore Rd., Brampton, ON 

Date: Monday, February 16
Time: 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Location: Sandalwood Park Rink #1, 130 Conestoga Dr., Brampton, ON 

For more information and a schedule of age group-specific timeslots, visit brampton.ca/youthhockey​.

More ways to celebrate Family Day weekend across Brampton

Generously sponsored by Sheridan College and Tim Hortons, in addition to the Sandalwood Park rink opening, residents are encouraged to enjoy free Family Day weekend activities taking place across the city, offering families more ways to spend quality time together while staying active.

Free drop-in activities 
Free drop-in activities will be offered across various recreation centres including, public skating, swimming and select sports such as badminton, volleyball and basketball. Registration is recommended to secure a spot for free drop-in programs. 

Family Day at Chinguacousy Park
Families are invited to Chinguacousy Park for a special Family Day, on Monday, February 16, from 11 am to 3 pm. The celebration will include:
  • ​Snow tubing (weather permitting)
  • DJ skate party
  • Try-it tennis
  • Curling demonstrations
  • Food trucks and more
​Canine Circus Presents: DOGS DO MAGIC 
Kick off the Family Day weekend with an evening of magic, comedy, and incredible canine talent in this one-show-only performance. Featuring award-winning Canadian magician Aaron Matthews—seen on Disney+, YTV, the Calgary Stampede, and Canada’s Got Talent—Dogs Do Magic combines laugh-out-loud moments with impressive tricks performed by some very talented four-legged stars. A fun and engaging experience for the whole family. Tickets available at BramptonOnStage.ca.

Date: Friday, February 13, 2026
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: The Rose Brampton,1 Theatre Ln., Brampton, ON

Free Family Sing-along with Spencer! 
For families and children aged five years old and older, singer and songwriter Spencer Brigham will lead an interactive sing-along featuring folk favourites and classic children’s songs. Acoustic instruments welcome! Registration is required for this event. 

Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Time: 11 am and 12 pm (two sessions, 45 minutes each)
Location: Bovaird House, 563 Bovaird Dr. E., Brampton, ON

For the full Family Day schedule, event details and a list of participating facilities, visit brampton.ca/familyday​.

Quotes

“Family Day is about bringing people together, and opening these new NHL-sized outdoor rinks at Sandalwood Park gives families a place to skate, play and connect in their own neighbourhood. Hockey is part of Canada’s culture, and these rinks will give residents the opportunity to play, practice and enjoy the game right here in their community. This investment reflects our commitment to recreation and quality of life for all Brampton residents.” - Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
​“The rinks opening at Sandalwood Park along with other activities happening around Brampton are a great way for families to have fun and spend quality time together during Family Day Weekend and throughout the winter season! It's exciting to see how these events will bring people together and create memories for families to look back on. - Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 and 5; Chair, Community Services Section, City of Brampton
​“These rinks represent more than just a place to skate—they represent our City’s commitment to investing in inclusive, accessible and innovative recreation spaces in our neighbourhood. By providing facilities like these, we are giving residents of all ages new opportunities to be active, connect with one another and celebrate the spirit of sport in Brampton. Come out and enjoy Family Day at the grand opening event or at other activities across our city.” - Navjit Kaur Brar, Regional Councillor, Wards 2 and 6; Vice Chair, Community Services Section, City of Brampton
​“The Sandalwood Park Ice Rinks are a perfect example of how Brampton continues to grow as a city that values community and quality of life. These rinks will become a gathering place for friends, families and athletes, and I look forward to seeing the energy and excitement they bring to Sandalwood Park this Family Day and the rest of the winter season.” - Michael Palleschi, Regional Councillor, Wards 2 and 6, City of Brampton
​“Growing up, some of my fondest memories were made playing hockey outdoors, and the new rinks at Sandalwood Park will give future generations of hockey players the same opportunity to create lifelong memories that I had. These rinks are a great place for residents to learn the fundamentals of hockey or practice and develop new skills! This addition to the community is a fun way to keep athletes and families active during the winter.” - Gary Roberts, Stanley Cup Champion and former Toronto Maple Leafs star

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As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to ​800,000 people and more than 122,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everythi​ng we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable and successful. Connect with us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Learn more at www.brampton.ca

About Brampton's Updated Parks and Recreation Master Plan

Brampton's Parks and Recreation Master Plan is a 15-year guiding document for the delivery of parks, open space, recreation and sports facilities to promote active and healthy lifestyles and serves as a comprehensive roadmap aimed at enhancing the city's parkland and recreational facilities. The City undertook a five-year review and update of the 2017 Council-endorsed PRMP. With Brampton's population growth rate rising the fastest of Canada's 25 largest cities, the five-year update to the PRMP highlights key areas of growth across the city and makes recommendations to keep up with Brampton's rapid pace of growth.   

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