Mark your calendar to check out the new dome as Vision 2020 and Austin Public Schools invite the community to come out and play in the new dome at Wescott Athletic Facility on from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec.12.

The dome will be filled with a variety of activities for families and community members of all ages to experience and enjoy. There will be a bounce house, batting cages, flag football, soccer, kickball, bean bags, a walking path and much more.

There will be a grand opening ceremony at 10 a.m. to officially open the dome and thank the partners that made this a reality. The dome is a community facility made possible by Vision 2020, The Hormel Foundation and Austin Public Schools. For more information on the Open Dome event contact greg@vision2020austin.com or lisa.quednow@austin.k12.mn.us or Kunderwo@ci.austin.mn.us

 Adult volleyball

The deadline for adult volleyball winter league team registration is this Thursday.

You must have your team entry fee of $185, roster with six players ($48) at the time of registration. Leagues will play at Ellis Middle School for 10 weeks. Leagues will be registered with the Minnesota Sports Federation.

 Curling

Stop in to Packer Arena on Mondays through Dec. 28 and give curling a try.

You can drop in at 6 p.m. for those 16 years and older, pay $10, learn to throw some stones, gain some strategy of the game and sweep.

Call our office if you have any questions. Wear loose fitting clothes in layers so you can move, gloves, warm socks and clean tennis shoes.

Riverside and Packer Arena

Adult Open Hockey is at Riverside Arena from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 9, 16 and 23. The cost is $6 per person, you must be at least in high school, no checking, no alcohol and a helmet is required. Goalies are free and must have full gear.

Check out renting a private hour of ice for $130. If you need skates, Packer is the place to go.

Public skate at Packer Arena will be 2:45 to 4 p.m. Sunday; 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Dec. 11; 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

The cost is $4 to skate and $1 to rent skates if you need them. Family or single memberships are also available to purchase. The family membership for two is $70 with $5 for additional family members; a single is $50.

 Youth soccer

Austin Youth Soccer Association will be offering skills camp for students U6 to U9. Cost is $30. Cost for U10/U11 is $75, and they will meet Mondays from 5 to 6 p.m. and Saturday’s from 1 to 2 p.m. The dates will be announced as soon as the dome is up.

For more information on older student times and costs, please go to www.austinyouthsoccer.org. Register at Austin Park and Recreation, Games People Play or online at www.austinyouthsoccer.org.

There are scholarships available to students for activities offered by us or the youth associations that will be held in the dome if you qualify for free and reduced lunch. You must apply for those through the APS Athletic office located in Austin High.

 Good for the heart

Did you know according to the American Heart Association that thirty minutes of moderate activity daily equates to 600-1200 calories of energy expended per week. With this great December weather we are having get out and enjoy it by walking or biking on the 15 miles of trails located within the Austin City limits. A reminder that we do not do winter maintenance on trails so beware of slick spots especially in shaded areas. The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center also offers trails for walking and when we have snow, skiing and snow shoe rentals are available.

 Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

Have you ever given it a thought to join the Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center?

The benefits of being a member include the semiannual newsletter, an invitation to the Friends Annual Meeting, $5 off each child’s fee for all summer adventure programs, $5 off tickets to the Thanksgiving Feast, members-only bus tour field trips, members-only events and classes for youth and families at the nature center, an opportunity to give a one-year gift membership to a non-member and an opportunity to support and promote environmental education programming.

A membership can make a great gift to give, check it out

 Austin Bruins

The Bruins next home games will be Dec. 18 hosting Minnesota Wilderness. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Do you have plans for New Year’s Eve? Bruins host Coulee Region during this year’s New Year’s Eve game.

Tickets can be purchased at the following sponsor locations; Hy-Vee, Holiday Inn, Jim’s Marketplace and Games People Play or at the Box Office on game day. Visit their website at www.AustinBruins.com for more info.