The University of Calgary's 1988 Olympic speed skating oval, where more than 300 world records have fallen.
The Olympic Oval exists because of Calgary's winning bid for the 1988 Winter Olympics, which first envisioned a temporary outdoor speed skating oval on the Stampede grounds for CA$3.4 million. Instead, designers faced the challenge of building a kind of facility never before used in competition, and most of it was built from precast, prestressed concrete, with 28 beams around the perimeter supporting 84 more in a lattice frame. More than 3,000 people watched the opening, hosted by federal sport minister Otto Jelinek, with the national speed skating teams cutting the ribbon.
At the 1988 Games it became known as "The Fastest Ice in the World" when world records fell in seven events, a speed credited to its climate control and high altitude. More than 300 world records have been set here since.
Beside the 400-metre long track it has two international-size rinks for short track and hockey and a 450-metre running track. It is Speed Skating Canada's official training centre and home of the Calgary Dinos, has produced 32 Canadian Olympic medalists including Ted-Jan Bloemen, and also serves as a busy public skating rink.
Admission, rentals and arrival details, researched from official rink information. Source checks stay current for 30 days.
Public skating: adults 18-54 CA$7.25; youth 6-17 and seniors 55+ CA$5.00; family (2 adults + children under 18) CA$19.25; special needs with assistant CA$5.25; ages 0-5 free. Monday Night Toonie Skate (6-8 p.m., from September 14, 2026) is CA$2.00.
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Hockey and speed-skate rentals are CA$7.75 including a helmet; helmet rental alone is CA$2.50.
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Helmets are mandatory for every public skater; a bike or ski helmet with a chin strap is accepted. There is no minimum age but young children must be supervised by an adult. Strollers are allowed if the child is strapped in and wears a helmet, personal skate aids are welcome, and carrying a child while skating is not allowed.
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The Oval recommends University of Calgary Lot 10 for access to the building; parking there is CA$10.50 per day.
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Wheelchairs are welcome on the public-skating ice through the Oval's accessible entrance; everyone on the ice must wear a helmet, and staff help clean the wheels first. A skater with special needs pays CA$5.25 admission with an assistant.
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A source check records what the rink published on that date. Session-specific booking details take precedence.
