Ice Stations – Ramsey Lake – Ontario

“I particularly remember visiting… A series of ice stations situated on the skate path of Ramsey Lake, a water body that is central to the downtown fabric of Sudbury, Ontario. As structures that were designed and constructed by students at the McEwen School of Architecture, they are intended to provide spaces of refuge for the users visiting the public space. Not only functioning as pieces that suit the education of the students, the structures are carefully designed to be easily disassembled, and resourced from wood from local manufacturers to leave as little of a footprint on the local environment as possible. It was interesting to experience the way the spaces were adapted by other community groups for organized events – a spontaneous silent disco was organized between the structures on the skate path, open to all users – even to those passing by through accidental discovery. It provided an alternative, vibrant experience to these spaces of refuge, on a gloomy winter evening. Families with strollers, children, and those of all age groups were able to participate in this event, without contributing to the noise pollution of the surrounding environment and to local residents. The structures were a sensitive response to improving the natural landscape, contributing to the social experience of the Bell Park skating path. Therefore, this environment provided an inclusive experience to its community members, conscious of the relationship to the users of the site and its situated environment.” (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2023, p.256).

Google map link: https://goo.gl/maps/GdZy4xrLLaLvQjgj6

Ice Stations on the Ramsey Lake Skate Path in Sudbury, Ontario, adapted for a silent disco event led by the community.