Brantford City Councillors Dan McCreary and Greg Martin hosted a free holiday skate on Monday, December 30, at the Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre. The event, held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., featured complimentary hot chocolate while supplies lasted and encouraged attendees to bring non-perishable food items to support the Brantford Food Bank.
More than 100 people participated in the skate, reflecting strong community interest and support.
Dan McCreary, Ward 3 Brantford City Councillor, described the event as a community-focused initiative aimed at providing local families with an opportunity to enjoy the holiday season. “Today Greg and I are hosting a free skate for kids, mostly from the north end. It’s an event we’ve successfully run in other arenas over the last few months. It’s a nice way to give people in the neighborhood an opportunity to come in, see the building, and enjoy something for free,” said McCreary. He also highlighted Greg Martin’s contribution, adding, “Greg’s even been springing for hot chocolate for everybody today, so it’s quite a nice day for all these folks.”
Greg Martin, Ward 3 Brantford City Councillor, emphasized the importance of offering activities for families during the holiday season. “I think it’s a very important event. It gives people something to do during the holiday season when school is out. It gets the kids out of the house and away from all their Christmas toys, giving them a chance to get active. Parents enjoy it as well, and we’ve had a very good turnout today,” said Martin.
Martin also noted the added benefit of supporting the Brantford Food Bank through food donations. “When you have a free event like this, some people think, ‘It would normally cost me to come here, so I’ll buy some food and donate it.’ It’s very helpful. Whatever we get is a bonus for the food bank, and I hope they appreciate it,” he added.
The holiday skate drew strong community participation, offering families an opportunity to enjoy the season, stay active, and contribute to a charitable cause.
