Brantford's Community Skate Exchange returns this winter

Family lacing up ice skates by the outdoor rink

BRANTFORD, ON – The City of Brantford’s Community Skate Exchange returns to help provide residents with gently-used ice skates to enjoy outdoor recreation during the winter season. Residents are invited to donate, exchange and pick-up a free pair of gently-used ice skates.

“The City has been able to provide thousands of free ice-skates over the years to local families so that they have an opportunity to have fun and stay active throughout the winter season,” says Jennifer Middleton, Special Events Supervisor for the City of Brantford. “The success and sustainability of this program is made possible thanks to those in the community who donate their gently used skates and also, to those who exchange skates for a larger size. We are grateful to residents that pay forward their unused skates, or skates that no longer fit, to someone in need.”

The Community Skate Exchange program takes place each Wednesday from December 6 to December 13, 2023 and January 10 to February 14, 2024 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Harmony Square main office, located at 89 Dalhousie Street. Community members in need of ice skates, or looking to exchange their old ones for a new size, are encouraged to attend. Appointments outside of regular program hours can be booked by emailing harmonysquare@brantford.ca.

New this year, the City has partnered with the Brantford Bulldogs to offer two skate drives to accept gently used skate donations at the Brantford and District Civic Centre, located at 79 Market Street South before the Bulldogs games on Sunday, January 7 and Friday, January 12, 2024. Skate pick-up will not be available during the skate drives.

Those looking to donate their gently-used ice skates can do so at one of the following City’s drop-off locations, during regular business hours.

Brantford City Hall, 58 Dalhousie St
Brantford Public Library, 173 Colborne Street
Doug Snooks Eagle Place Community Centre, 333 Erie Avenue
Harmony Square, 89 Dalhousie Street
T.B Costain/SC Johnson Community Centre, 16 Morrell Street
Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre, 254 North Park Street
Woodman Park Community Centre, 491 Grey Street.

Detailed information can be found at Brantford.ca/SkateExchange.

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Media Contact:

Sharon Sayles | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519-757-2840 | ssayles@brantford.ca