Too Hot Outside? Cool Off Inside The Ice Palace

After two weeks spent replacing the ice, repainting the blues lines and re-stenciling the red center circle by hand, the Ice Palace in Aliso Viejo reopened for business Friday. And with two more months of the summer heat still remaining, there isn't a better place for kids and adults to chill.

Here are some programs going on this summer:

Ice Skating Lessons (New): Beginner skaters of all ages can learn to skate each Monday morning from July 16 to Aug. 27. The 30-minute instruction includes skate rental and practice time. Kids 9-15 years start at 9:30 to 10:00 a.m., followed by 6-8 years at 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. and 4-5 years at 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Also includes eight free public skating passes. Cost: $120.

Ice Skating for Beginner Hockey: Learn to skate like a hockey player with eight half-hour classes that meet once a week (no sticks or pucks). Certificate of Completion issued at the end of the course. For kids 4-6 years at 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. and 7-12 years 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Cost: $128.

Ice Skating Mini Camps: Learn the fundamentals of skating, gliding, turning and stopping in this 30-minute, five-day camp. Fee includes skate rentals and practice on the day of your lesson. Next camp is July 30-Aug. 3 and Aug. 20-24. Kids 6-8 years 2:15 to 2:45 p.m., 4-5 years 2:45 to 3:15 p.m., and 9-15 years 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. Cost: $90.

Pickup Hockey: Every Saturday this summer from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. players can meet and play hockey. Full equipment is required and must be at least 15 years old. No pre-registration is required. Thirty players and four goalies is the maximum, and the first two goalies to check in get paid to play. Cost: $15. Regular pick-up games are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 12:45 to 2:00 p.m.

BroomBall: Night time broomball has been fun for co-workers, clubs, friends and family, but during the summer there is daytime broomball, too. You don't need to know how to skate because broomball is played in tennis shoes. Brooms, ball and nets are provided. Reservations only. Call Wendy Mortensen (949) 643-9648, ext. 21.

Public Skating: Monday-Friday, 2:15 to 4:15 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 12:30 to 3:00 p.m., Wednesday nights, 6:15 to 8:00 p.m., and Friday nights, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Admission: $13. Skate rental: $4.00.