It is New Year’s Day 2015 and in South Bayview, Leaside arena will be closed today. But both rinks will be open Friday, January 2, 2015. If you have kids and care to skate today, Mayor John Tory will hold a family skating party at the City rink in Nathan Phillips Square. It will substitute for the long-standing tradition of a levee, or reception by the mayor. Mr. Tory’s skating event will run from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nathan Phillips Square. There will be a “family-friendly DJ,” hot chocolate, apple cider, coffee and tea. The mayor will move between the outdoor skating rink and the city hall lobby, where he will mingle with people who don’t feel like braving the ice. He has eliminated the traditional levee receiving line. “That’s the only distinction, other than adding the more family-friendly event. Which we really wanted to do and the mayor wanted to do, personally,” said Tory staffer Amanda Galbraith. “He’s a grandfather. He wanted to make it more of a family event. Happy New Year and a prosperous 2015 to everyone from the South Bayview Bulldog.
