10/26/1989 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NEIGHBORHOOD SKATING RAS Winter ice rinks serve a purpose similar to a drop-in center. Ice rinks are skating facilities open to the general public for no fee during a set schedule of open hours. City skating facilities offer a warming shelter, facility supervisor, and established sheets of ice for skaters' enjoyment. Every city differs a little in the operation of ice rinks. For instance, the City of Minneapolis employs one maintenance man per park whose job is to sweep and flood the rink daily. The pleasure rinks in Minneapolis are huge, covering complete athletic fields. Needless to say, to maintain and facilitate such huge rinks is beyond present capabilities for the City of Mounds View. Residents of the City of Mounds view live near three indoor skating facilities. These three indoor rinks are located in Blaine, Fridley and Shoreview. Indoor rinks have the advantage of offering excellent ice conditions due to constant and controlled ice and the benefit of indoor temperatures versus possible outdoor inclement weather conditions. Indoor open skating arenas handle 100 - 130 skaters paying $1.00 - $2.00 per 1.5 - 2 hour open skating session. Ice hockey teams often rent ice time for practices and games. Skating instruction classes fill to capacity. Ice time is always in demand by hockey leagues, broomball leagues and skating schools. Many skaters have experienced the benefits indoor ice. Unfortunately, outdoor ice cannot compare, nor can outdoor ice be established to match indoor ice due to weather, ground variables, and time limitations. Indoor ice provides excellent conditions. If skaters desire excellent conditions, indoor facilities are available. Outdoor skating offers benefits too. City rinks offer outdoor settings and most skaters are within walking distance from their homes. Outdoor rinks charge no fee. They serve as youth drop-in centers for pick-up games. The old fashioned neighborhood rink is still popular as indicated by the statistics.