The Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink, located at 95 Winburn Way, across from the Lithia Park playground in Ashland, will be open for outdoor skating daily, Nov. 18 through mid-February, weather permitting. Admission is $5, $4 for ages 6-13, and free for ages 5 and younger. Skate rentals are available for $3. Punchcards and group rates available. Concessions will be provided by the Lions Club of Ashland on a limited schedule. Call 541-552-2258 or see ashland.or.us/icerink for schedule and admission information. All changes in participation requirements, scheduling, skating lessons and programs will be posted to the website.

Ice skating will soon return to Lithia Park with Ashland Parks and Recreation department staff completing skating rink structure tests, equipment testing and temperature checks ahead of the Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink’s reopening for the winter season.

The ice rink has been a beloved activity for local skaters and visitors from afar since it first opened in 1996.

“It really is a unique attraction. It’s definitely a great memory maker and a great family-friendly atmosphere with friendly staff,” said Lonny Flora, recreation manager for Ashland’s parks and recreation department. “People come from as far as Portland, Seattle and the Bay Area to visit Ashland.”

The rink is scheduled to open Saturday, Nov. 23 and be open daily throughout the winter, weather permitting. On weekends generally, the rink’s schedule includes adult hockey from 8 to 10 a.m., stick-and-puck from 10 to 11:30 a.m., cheap skate from noon to 2 p.m. and recreational skating from 2 to 9 p.m. with multiple programs throughout the week.

The rink is located at 95 Winburn Way, directly across from the Lithia Park playground. To sign up for skating passes, lessons or to view hours, visit ashlandoregon.gov/icerink.

The ice rink’s operating schedule has programs and times carved out for all kinds of skaters. Some of those programs include: All In! Adapted Skating, a safe and supportive environment geared toward children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities; Cheap Skate, offering $1 rental skates to accommodate those looking for a big discount; Frozen Tots, a time dedicated to novice skaters seeking a slower-paced environment to learn and Adult Hockey, a time reserved for hockey games and shoot-around activities with hockey nets on the ice.

“We want to make sure people understand what the sessions are about, and for all people to participate in the space,” Flora said. “We’ll also have (instructor-led programs) there to help absolute beginning skaters, and have experienced figure skaters and hockey players.”

The First Frost community skating event is slated to return from 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, with music, performances on the ice and family discount specials.

“We’ve done a lot of different things for First Frost, but the most popular foundation of it is figure skating performances with the local figure skating association,” Flora said, referencing the Southern Oregon Figure Skating Association. “Having their skaters come out and perform is one of the big highlights of the evening.”

A DJ will bring lively tunes for skaters during First Frost as well.

This year, a new canopy will envelop the ice rink, which staff hope will relieve the previous challenges they faced with the former covering.

“We did get a new fabric for the canopy with a much longer lifespan — and it’s easier for the crews to install — so that been installed for this season,” Flora said. “The cover really helps us stay open much longer and have longer hours through the season instead shutting down for rain or snow or wind.”

Reached a week before the scheduled opening, Flora said workers were busy setting up the infrastructure needed to run the rink properly.

“This week, we’re getting electricity hooked up, getting the city network hooked up, water delivery, services, restrooms,” Flora said. “We’ve got a lot of different moving parts.”

As first reported by ashland.news, staff are currently working to replace the ice rink’s chiller — the machine used for keeping the rink frozen. It is the same one that has been used since the ice rink opened in 1996 and is in need of replacement. The new machine, however, will not be available until next year’s ice skating season.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t get it done in time before the season started, but it’s expected to be delivered here by February,” Flora said.

Born and raised in the Rogue Valley and skating on the rink when it first opened in 1996, Flora sees the venue as not only an opportunity to have fun during the colder months, but also a draw for visitors to boost Ashland’s local economy.

“One of the things about it is being a wintertime outdoor recreation facility. It’s something else that’s drawing people into Ashland from outside areas, whether they’re going into Mix (Bakeshop) for hot chocolate or Christmas shopping, they’re able to go skating too,” he said. “It’s a really important piece of wintertime recreation in Ashland.”

“And it’s a lot of fun, for sure,” Flora added.