Staff and faculty find balance and wellness on ice — at the Oval

With about 6,350 employees, the University of Calgary is the city’s seventh-largest employer — a place that rivals the size of a small town. Supporting a workforce of this scale requires amenities that promote health, balance, and well-being. Yet one of the university’s most remarkable assets often flies under the radar: the Olympic Oval. 

Built for the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, the Oval is best known for speedskating and world records. Closer to home, however, it is a facility UCalgary staff can access almost every day — a world-class resource hiding in plain sight.

“Campus is a big place, and it’s easy to stay in your own corner. The Oval is here to bring people together — a place where every staff and faculty member is welcome to skate, connect, and recharge,” says Mark Messer, director, Olympic Oval.

Each year, more than 35,000 people lace up at the Olympic Oval, making it Calgary’s number-one destination for recreational public skating. Unlike a typical community rink, the Oval offers an Olympic-sized 400-metre ice surface — a scale that can accommodate thousands of skaters daily.

To encourage staff and faculty to take advantage of this world-class resource, the Oval offers a special Lunchtime Skate package. For just $46.25, employees can skate from Aug. 1 to March 31, accessing The Fastest Ice in the World™ almost every weekday at noon. While the Faculty of Kinesiology runs a variety of midday programs, the Oval’s Lunchtime Skate stands out as one of the coolest ways to stay active. And beyond fitness, it provides staff with a chance to connect with fellow employees in a uniquely UCalgary experience.

"The Olympic Oval is a truly wonderful facility that the university is lucky to have. I have visited many places, and the UCalgary skating rink is the best!" says Dr. Elena Braverman, PhD (Math), professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Science. 

"Having the chance for faculty and students to exercise during lunch hour is invaluable. In difficult times, the Oval kept me healthy, cheerful, and functioning. If I had to name the best thing UCalgary has, it would be the Olympic Oval skating rink,” Braverman adds.

Recreational public skating is more than just time on the ice. Physically, it delivers a full-body workout — building endurance, strength, balance, and co-ordination — while remaining joint-friendly and surprisingly effective at burning calories. The benefits extend beyond fitness: skating relieves stress, lifts mood, and offers a sense of freedom. On occasion, Oval staff have seen skaters holding their arms up saying “Jack, I’m flying!”

Just as importantly, it builds community. Skating is an inclusive, affordable activity for staff and faculty of all ages and abilities — a chance to connect with colleagues in a fun, social setting year-round.. 

UCalgary staff and faculty are invited for a FREE skate at the Olympic Oval on Friday, Sept. 26, 12–1 p.m. It’s the perfect chance to step away from your corner of campus and be part of the Oval’s 38th birthday celebration. The first 50 guests will even receive a Bliss Cupcake to sweeten the occasion.

Need skates?

Staff and faculty can rent skates at the Skate Shop for only $7.50.

How can staff get their passes?

UCalgary staff and faculty can get their Lunchtime pass right at the Olympic Oval’s front desk (OO).

Recreational public skating schedules can be viewed here.