Learn to Skate will be 6-6:45 p.m., March 26 and April 2, at Riverside Arena.

Austin Park and Rec is offering this opportunity for beginners ages 3-10 years who wish to learn how to skate. Participants will fall down, so elbow pads and shin pads are recommended and helmets are required to be worn at all times. Both helmets and skates are available for rental at Riverside Arena.

A parent or guardian (of at least 16 years of age) may assist the participant(s) at no charge. Skates are available for them to rent as well for $1. The participant registration fee is $20.

Hockey

Mites 3-on-3 hockey will be 6-7 p.m. on March 17 and  30 and April 6, 13, 20 and  27. The league will begin Tuesday, March 17. The remainder of the games will be held on Monday evenings.

The player fee is $40.

2020 3-on-3 Sweets Cup Hockey Competition at Riverside Arena will be  Tuesdays beginning this Tuesday and running through April 28. There will be no activity on March 24 due to Spring Break at Austin Schools.

Youth Hockey groups include Mites/10U girls, Squirt/12U girls, Peewee/14U girls, and Bantam/16U girls. Each division plays eight one-hour games. Participation fee is $50/player with play set aside between 6-9 p.m. Start times will vary.

Register online at the Park and Rec registration web site at http://cityofapr.maxgalaxy.net.

Sledding hill

and outdoor rinks

Outdoor rink maintenance will likely end for the season this weekend due to temperatures which are fluctuating above and below the freeze/thaw point, a typical season-end cycle which leads to rapid deterioration of ice rink conditions. The warming house at the sledding hill will close with the skating rinks. As with any other time, please check to make certain warming house(s) are open and staffed prior to dropping off kids at these outdoor recreation sites.

Summer Recreation

The Summer Recreation brochure was sent to the printer last week. The publication will be out in Austin schools after March 13. Watch for registration to begin for Austin Park and Recreation and Jay C. Hormel Nature Center activities on April 1.

Seasonal employment opportunities

Park and Recreation is accepting applications for many summer/part-time jobs for ages high school and up. Are you retired and looking for something to get you outside? We may have something for you. We have job openings in park maintenance, municipal pool management, lifeguarding, and recreation. Wages have increased since last year for many of these seasonal positions. Check the city website at www.ci.austin.mn.us for the related employment opportunities.

Packer Arena

The last Public Skate of the season at Packer will be on noon to 2 p.m. We’ll then be gearing up for dry-floor events and activities at this location. Watch for public ice availability to begin at Riverside Arena next week.

Riverside Arena

Austin Bruins are at home at 7:05 p.m. tonight versus the Bismarck Bobcats. The hockey action is always fast and exciting when the Austin Bruins are in town! There is a potential need for roof work at Riverside Arena this spring/early summer. None of this should impact use of the arena. However, there is also the potential for a ceiling insulation job to take place this late April thru May. This job may displace indoor activities but is on hold, pending the determination and size of possible needed roof work.