Opening delayed at Larson Ice Rink

MOSES LAKE — The warm sunny weather has pushed back the opening of the Larson Ice Rink one more time.

A new date has not been announced, said Tom Los of the Moses Lake Parks and Recreation Department. But it’s supposed to be a little colder next week, cold enough so that recreation department employees can start building the ice surface. If the weather allows, the plan is to start building the ice Nov. 14 and open the rink Nov. 18, Los said.

“It’s really hard to build ice at 40 degrees.” The weather has been even warmer than that, with temperatures in the high 50s, some days topping out at 60 degrees.

The skating rink was supposed to open last week, with skating lessons scheduled to start Nov. 7. That schedule has been adjusted; lessons are still scheduled for Mondays but will start Nov. 21 – if the weather and the ice cooperate.

The first session of lessons will be Nov. 21 and 28, Dec. 5, 12 and 19, with a lesson added Dec. 7. The schedule for the second session remains unchanged, with lessons beginning Jan. 9.

There are classes for beginners and intermediates, and separate lessons for teens and adults. Each lesson is about 30 minutes.

“Snowplow Sam” classes are at 5 p.m. and focus on the really beginning beginners. There are two sessions of Basic 1 classes, at 5:35 and 6:10 p.m., and Basic 2 and Basic 3 classes at 6:45 p.m. Teen/adult lessons are scheduled for 7:20 p.m.

Ice skates are not included. Ice skate rentals are available for $5 each. Lessons are $45 per person. Class sizes are limited.

Interested people can register at the Moses Lake Parks and Recreation office, 411 South Balsam St., or can call 509-764-3805.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached at education@columbiabasinherald.com.