The Meewasin Valley Authority says its policy on free skating at a downtown rink in Saskatoon has not changed despite the word "free" being removed from its signs.

At least one rink worker was last week telling people that skates could not be borrowed for free and skate rental has to be by donation.

A sign at the rink had a piece of tape covering the word "free." The sign originally said "Skating and skates are free! We appreciate any donation."

Amy Wall, the manager of marketing and fund development at Meewasin Valley Authority, said Wednesday skating and equipment rental is still free for people who cannot afford to or do not want to make a donation.

But signs advertising free skating at the rink are being replaced. Wall said skating there has always been by donation.

A 'communication' change

"It's not a policy change, it's a communication change," said Wall, adding that there have been questions but not complaints from the public.

She said a meeting is being held with staff at the rink on Thursday to make sure that messaging around donations is being done properly.

Employees who work at the "rink shack," where skates are available for rent, had been trained this season to tell people who ask for skates that they are by donation.

"We just let [the public] know where the donation box is, so people can donate then, they can donate later, they can choose not to donate at all," said Wall.

"It's not a requirement of acquiring skates."

Amy Wall from the Meewasin Valley Authority says skating is still free for anybody who does not want to or cannot make a donation. (Sean Trembath/CBC News)

Meewasin Valley Authority is a conservation organization that operates and staffs the downtown skating rink as well as conservation areas outside the city.

Wall said the donations help the authority keep offering services like the management of the rink because the authority is not-for-profit.

"We are a charitable organization, it's not a thing that we generate profits, so it's always money that goes back into operations and into the community and into the work that we do so anything that people can provide is always appreciated," she said.

"Anyone is welcome at any time at no charge to enjoy the rink and to borrow the skates that are available."

Sarah Marchildon is the marketing and communications manager at Downtown Saskatoon, the city's central business improvement district.

She did not expect any significant impact from Meewasin's shift away from promoting skating as being "free."

"We still have access to the beautiful active side of the riverbank with this skating rink that is still free to access and Meewasin is just kind of doing a different strategic job of advertising how they work and they are entitled to do so," said Marchildon.

"Ultimately it doesn't actually change how it's run and how it's accessible to the community."

Former worker raises concern

Dana Durell, who worked as an attendant at the skating rink for two winters about five years ago, said he was surprised to see the "free" skating signs taped over when he visited last week.

Durell said when he worked at the rink the skates were free to borrow and people could make a donation if they wanted to. He said a worker last week told him skate rental was not free.

"I think it introduces a barrier to people, it makes people feel less welcome if they can't afford it and that is my main concern with it," he said of the approach he saw last week.

Durell said the city needs shared public spaces like the rink in winter, when places to spend time are more limited.

"When I worked there the skating rink was accessed by a lot of Indigenous youth and youth from the inner-city who didn't really have many other options in terms of a shared space or like a place to hang out during the day," he said.

"I didn't see any of those kids there while I was there (last week) and I've kind of heard from people who have been at the rink during the winter that those kids haven't been there."