It was 15 degrees outside when workers started flooding the hockey rink at Inner Park in Circle Pines recently. But fluctuating temperatures and strong sunlight can make it difficult to predict an opening date.
“Our open date isn’t always official but we try to have them open by the Christmas break for students,” said Circle Pines Parks Superintendent Pat Stapleton. “Usually temperatures hold at night and if they don’t get up too much in the daytime then we’re able to keep some ice and keep building the ice.”
Outdoor skating is still a traditional part of a Minnesota winter. Creating an ice rink is a job that’s part science and part experience.
“Sometimes if you put down too much water it doesn’t work, you have to put down less water, you know the temperature has to be right. If the sun’s out it doesn’t work well. It’s a little bit art and a little science,” said Stapleton.
COVID is having an impact at outdoor rinks, too. Warming houses are not allowed to be open under the Governor’s orders. In Blaine, there are plans to provide extra benches and tables outdoors for people to site and change skates. But outdoor skating may get extra attention this season as people look for a way to safely embrace a Minnesota winter during a challenging time.
“We are the state of hockey I think right? So we like to provide [the opportunity] for people to get out and skate. With COVID and other distancing issues, it’s a way for people to get outside still and enjoy nature,” said Stapleton. “However we can do it, we like making ice.”
