Edina Warming Houses, Skating Rinks Officially Open

With the recent single-digit temperatures and  fresh out of the picture, it seems this year's Minnesota winter has arrived just in time for the opening of Edina's skating rinks. And this week's cold front has been nothing but help in the City's ice preparation. 

"The weather has really allowed us to build a solid base of ice," said Donna Tilsner, Edina Park and Recreation supervisor. "Our maintenance guys started flooding just after Thanksgiving and have done a great job of brushing all of the snow off. The rinks are all in really, really good shape for opening day."

At 4 p.m. today, Dec. 17, a total of 11 different warming houses across the city—all equipped with a full-sized ice rink—will turn their lights on for the season.

The task of operating and maintaining these rinks may not be as simple as one might think. Tilsner said they staff about 45 rink attendants—mostly high school and college people with an interest in hockey or skating—who have all been through a specific training. Ready to back them up, if needed, is a crew of 15 substitutes. Finally, there are three or four direct supervisors, one of which is John Sjoblom, now in his second winter on the job.

"We make the rounds, keep an eye on everything," Sjoblom said. "We're excited about this year's opening. It's always a fun time on that first day—meeting the kids that come out, putting out little, harmless fires that get started."

Tilsner shares Sjoblom's excitement, for the first day and beyond. On New Year's Eve will be open until 10 p.m. as a part of a new "Skate Late" event. Also, looking forward to Friday, Jan. 21, Tilsner said three different parks—Pamela, and —will be opening for a "winter neighborhood night out."

"We'll have cookies and hot beverages, the fire pits will be started up and maybe even some snowshoes donated from Hoigaard's," Tilsner explained. "We just want to try and get people to come on down, meet the neighbors and have a fun time skating together."

Edina community members need not wait until the end of January, though, to enjoy these freshly flooded rinks. In fact, opened its doors last Saturday, and if its first-week success is any indication, this winter will be a busy season for Edina rinks. 

"Centennial Lakes is just a great place to skate, be with family and hang out outdoors," Edina resident Tom Naughtin said, taking a brief break from skating with his son, John. "But all the rinks are beautiful and it's always a fun time."

For a full list of parks with warming houses/rinks, as well as hours, check out Edina's Park and Recreation website. Don't have skates? Head over to Centennial Lakes, where their warming house offers rentals of all sizes.