Did you know ice-skating is easy on the joints because its low impact and it improves your balance and coordination? The source of this article was written in Best Health Magazine, January/February 2012. The article also referred to the number of calories burned while skating, which also depends on the speed at which you skate.

For example; a 155-pound women skating slowly burns about 387 calories per hour. Of course skating fast, chasing a puck will burn 633 calories per hour, not all of us play hockey but there can be some great benefits to putting on the skates for recreation! Plan a date with family and friends and take in a public skate. Ice can also be rented privately by the hour, call our office for details at 507433-1881.

Packer arena

Pubic skates will be held from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.Wednesday, 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 12/20, 3:30 to 5:15 p.m. Dec. 26, 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 27, 4:30 to 6 p.m Dec. 28, 4 to 5:15 p.m. Dec. 29, 3:45 to 5 p.m. Dec. 30. The cost to skate is $4, if you need skates, rentals are $1. Watch Facebook and check the city web site at www.ci.austin.mn.us for the calendar.

Austin Park and Recreation will partner with Austin Youth Hockey and the Austin Bruins to offer an event to help people of all ages learn to skate on Jan. 7, 2015, at Packer Arena. For more information call our office at 433-1881, check the city web site at www.ci.austin.mn.us for a registration form, check the Austin Youth Hockey web site or follow us on Facebook as the form is there as well.

Adult open hockey will be from 7 to 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday. The cost is $6 and you must be in high school and not playing youth hockey, no checking, no alcohol and helmets are required. There will not be adult open hockey on Dec. 24 or Dec. 31. Enjoy the holidays!

Soccer league

We are currently taking registration for our second- through fifth-grade indoor soccer league to be held at Banfield Elementary School on Tuesday and Thursday evenings Jan. 6, 2015, through Feb. 12, 2015. Cost is $17; please sign up by Dec. 30th at the Park and Recreation office, 121 Fourth Ave. NE.

There is still room to sign up for Intro to Archery. This is for ages 9 and up on Monday, Dec. 29 to give people a chance to see if archery interests them. The cost is $10 per person, equipment is provided. For more information please call our office.

Riverside Arena

The Austin Boys varsity hockey team will host Mankato East at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Junior varsity starts at 5:30 p.m. The Austin Bruins will host the Minnesota Magicians at Riverside at 7:05 p.m. Friday. The Bruins will also have a game again on New Year’s Eve hosting Coulee.

Liking us on Facebook “Austin Park & Recreation Department, Austin MN” gives you updates.

The City of Austin web page is at www.ci.austin.mn.us for more department info.