Those of you that like to play pickleball, we will have open gym again at Ellis Middle School on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. starting this Wednesday and going to March 8.

The cost is $2 per person per time. You can pay at the gym. For more information, you may contact Jake at Parks, Recreation and Forestry or jakes@ci.austin.mn.us.

Dome

The Dome baseball pitching machine league will begin Monday.

You may still sign up in our office if you want join.  7 to 9 year olds are Mondays and 10 to 12 year olds are on Tuesdays. Start time is 6 p.m. and the cost is $60 per participant.

Austin High School will offer open dome times for Moms and Little Ones from 9 to 11 a.m. on the following dates: Jan. 10 and 24; Feb 7 and 21; Mar 7 and 21; April 4 and 18.

The cost is $2 per child or $5 per family.  A great opportunity to get out and run off some cabin fever during the winter or wet months.

Warming houses

Warming houses at the ice rinks Kaufman, Galloway and Skinners Hill hours are from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday.  On Tuesday our hours switch 6 to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday at Kaufman Park. The weekend hours for all three — Kaufman, Galloway and Skinners Hill will be 6 to 9 p.m. Friday  and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m.  and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Check out the safety tips on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources site regarding ice on lakes and ponds before you venture out on them.

Cross country skiing

Due to the diminished condition of the trails we are not renting skiis at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Pray that we receive a nice snowfall. You may get your trail updates and maps at the www.hormelnaturecenter.org web site, click on the skinnyski.com site.

Stay tuned as we approach the date for the Dammen Cross Country Ski Race which is coming up from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 28.  Go to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center website, click on ski race and you can download a registration form.  Register by Jan. 20 for a discounted entry fee.

Profits from this event go directly to the Kevin Dammen Mentorship Fund which benefits our Nature Play and Summer Nature Adventure Programs.

Packer Arena schedule

Public skate: 1:15 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday.  The weekend of Jan 13 to 15 weekend we have a youth hockey tournament so we will be short on time to offer public skate.  The weekend of the Jan. 20 to 22 we also have a tournament however it is smaller so stay tuned and check Facebook for times.

Cost is $4 to skate plus $1 if you need to rent skates. Purchase a family membership for $70 (two people) and add other family members for $5 each. Expires on March 31.

Watch for the calendar or notifications on Facebook.  Make sure to like us so you receive up to date information.

•Stick Time: Stick time is $6 per person or purchase a five-session punch card for $25 and save $1 on each session. Check the Riverside schedule for Stick Time too.

Riverside Arena schedule

•Stick Time: 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday and Jan. 17.

•Adult Open Hockey: 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. Cost is $6 per person each event. Attendees must be 16; goalies are free.

•Austin hockey home games: Boys JV and varsity will host Mankato East on Thursday. JV will start at 5:30 p.m. and varsity at 7:30 p.m.

•Austin Bruins: Saturday, 7:05 p.m. against Coulee Region.