Unpredictable weather and mild winters often shorten the outdoor skating season. While seasonal outdoor ice skating rinks provide a valuable recreational option, there is some concern about whether taxpayers are receiving the full value of their investment. Even those who skate regularly on public rinks may not benefit as much, as the length of the skating season continues to shorten. Setting up and maintaining these seasonal outdoor ice rinks in Aurora requires considerable time and effort and can also be quite costly. Therefore, a well-sized artificially frozen outdoor skating rink could potentially be a valuable asset to our community, even if colder weather were to return.

Such Outdoor Skating Rink Exists

But wait, we do have such outdoor skating rink in Aurora, and it is in the heart of the Aurora Town Square. Well-sized? Not exactly. Well-attended? Not really. And why not? It’s artificially frozen and provides the opportunity for outdoor skating most of the time.

If the rink isn’t well-attended, there is a problem that needs to be addressed. The key question is why. Are people aware of its existence? And if they are, why aren’t more individuals taking advantage of this valuable asset in Aurora? Where are the enthusiastic supporters who championed the $60,000,000 capital project—Aurora Town Square—and its potential benefits for the community on social media? And where are Mayor Mrakas, Councillors Thompson and Kim, and former Councillor Humfryes, who worked tirelessly on this overly costly and two years-late project, skating and showcasing it on social media now?

It was easy for Mayor Mrakas, Councillors Thompson and Kim, and former Councillor Humfryes to enthusiastically raise their hands and vote for every initiative tied to Aurora Town Square, confident they would have their way. It was just as easy to pose with a shovel at the groundbreaking ceremony, basking in the moment, or to smile for photos during the grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony. So, what’s changed now? Are they embarrassed by the results of Aurora Town Square? Why aren’t their social media accounts filled with posts celebrating the place?

Where Are the Supporters of Aurora Town Square?

Furthermore, where are the patrons who frequently voice their opinions and complaints on social media, telling others not to use the rink if they are dissatisfied? It is time for all supporters to step up and get involved. Merely constructing the rink is not enough to ensure its success. Despite being well-maintained, attendance remains low. Currently, the only thing calling for people to come out and skate is the Smooth Operator ice resurfacer. However, the chosen name itself raises a question. How would you even explain it to children if they were to inquire?

I have visited Aurora Town Square, particularly the library, on numerous occasions since its grand opening, and each time I’ve observed the rink sitting completely empty. Despite this, employees were on-site, diligently maintaining the rink, salting the area, and often waiting around with little to do. I don’t fault them; they are simply performing their assigned duties. In my view, however, this issue appears to stem more from management’s actions.

This observation is not unique to me; others have also taken note of the underutilization of the rink. The ice resurfacer and other equipment exclusive to the square are undoubtedly costly investments as well. Clearly, this small but expensive rink should have more engagement to provide value for taxpayers. This leads me to question whether the location of the rink was as ideal as originally envisioned.

The facility is fully equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, yet there has been a lack of engagement thus far. I am hopeful that participation will increase soon. Considering the significant investment in staff, equipment, and resources, it is crucial that we maximize the utilization of the facility. When it remains idle, our tax dollars are not being effectively utilized.

Perhaps there’s an idea for Aurora Town Square: skating human-bots. I recently read that Meta’s next plan is to deploy millions of generative AI characters to pose as actual users on Facebook and Instagram to drive more engagement. It’s a bit unsettling to think about how these AI-driven personas might behave, and I can’t help but wonder how this will change the dynamics of social media moving forward.

Consequently, we know that people are often drawn to crowds, and when it comes to skating, few are eager to be the first on the rink. So, I thought, why not enlist a few human-bots? But all jokes aside, it’s time for Mayor Mrakas and his supporters to lace up their skates, hit the ice, and lead by example—then the people will follow. Hopefully.

Anna Lozyk Romeo
Aurora, Ontario