Pembroke’s Parks & Recreation Department is excited to announce the launch of Sensory-Friendly Skates for the 2025-2026 season!
Sensory Friendly Skates create a safe and inclusive skating experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities. During a Sensory Friendly Skate, there will be no music played, no unnecessary loud sounds, as well as a reduced capacity on the number of individuals allowed on the ice.
This skate is open to all participants however, all skaters require 1:1 support and/or family on the ice.
As part of this pilot initiative, four Sensory Friendly Skates will be offered during the 2025–2026 skating season to assess the feasibility of implementing the program on a permanent basis. Pre-registration is recommended as there will be a limited number of people allowed on the ice.
2025/2026 Sensory-Friendly Skate Schedule
| October 19, 2025 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. |
| December 7, 2025 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. |
| February 7, 2026 | 12:45-1:45pm |
| March 7, 2026 | 12:45-1:45pm
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Pre-registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. on the Monday two weeks before the scheduled skate and will close at 12:00 p.m. on the Friday prior to the event.
Both a support person and the participant must preregister. The fees for Sensory Skates will remain the same as those for Public Skates (Adult Drop-in $4.15, Senior/Student Drop-in $3.55, Child Drop-in $2.20). There will be no charge for a support person.
If an individual is especially sensitive, it is recommended that they avoid the very beginning and the end of the skate, as the transition between ice rentals can be unpredictable.
This is part of a broader initiative from the Parks & Recreation Master Plan to offer more inclusive programming, so everyone can participate in recreation. The Parks & Recreation Department is excited to see how these programs help create a more welcoming and connected community.
For more information on Sensory Friendly Skates, or Public Skates in general, visit Pembroke.ca/Skating