Curling starts again on Sunday, Jan. 7.

Sign up by 4 .m. on Jan. 4 in our office or set up your account online. Refer to the information to follow.  This will be an eight-week session and the cost is $100 per player.

Online

Try something new.

We would like to invite you to set up your online account. This will allow you to register for Parks and Recreation and Nature Center programs.  Currently you can sign up for the youth volleyball camp and archery.  You will also be able to request facility rentals for your private events.

The link will be at www.ci.austin.mn.us. and click on City Departments. Click on online registration. From there click on the Registration tab, youth and the programs will be listed. 

If you have not created you account when you click on the register tab it will ask you to log in or create an account. Please call with any questions.

Camps and leagues

Volleyball: Students in third to sixth grade, sign up for volleyball camp by Jan. 3. The camp will be at Ellis Middle School gyms from 6:15-7:15 p.m. The cost is $35 on Jan. 8, 18, 22, Feb. 12, 22, 26 and March 1.

MSF volleyball teams, sign-up for U11-U18 teams to play in the March MSF tournament in Austin on March 17 and 18. Practice will be held 3-6 p.m. on Sunday afternoons beginning Jan. 7. Specific times to be determined  following registration on Friday, Jan.  5. Cost is $50 per player. 

These teams will also have other tournament opportunities for additional fees.

Archery: Sign up for our Youth Archery League on Wednesday or Thursday evenings beginning Jan. 3 or 4.

Archery league is held in the 4-H building at the fairgrounds from 6 to 7:30 p.m.  for 11 weeks.  The cost is $60 per person for ages 9 to 18.  Equipment is available if you do not have your own.   

Pickleball: Open gym continues on Wednesday evenings at Ellis Middle School starting on Jan. 3.

Pickleball nets will be in the auxiliary gym, 6:30-8 p.m. The cost is $2 per person at the door.

Dome

The Austin High School Dome will be offering some open times on the following dates:  Jan 9 and 23, Feb 6 and 20, March 6 and 20, April 3 and 17.

The cost is $2 per child and $5 per adult. During these same dates they will offer the use of the golf nets at $5 per player.

Friends of

the 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 also make a great gift to give.  You can even sign up on line. Go to www.hormelnaturecenter.org click on “get involved” and then Friends of Hormel Nature Center. It is as easy as that to start to enjoy the benefits.

Riverside Arena

Riverside Figure Skate Club: Sunday’s from 1-5 p.m.

Austin hockey: Girls vs. Owatonna, 7 p.m., Jan. 2; Boys vs. Mankato West, 5:30 JV, 7: 15 varsity, Jan. 4; Boys vs. Winona, 5:30 p.m. JV 11:15 a.m., varisty, 1 p.m. Jan 5.

Austin Bruins: Jan. 5-6 vs. Minot, 7:05 p.m.

Packer Arena

Public skate: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Dec. 30; 1-4 p.m. Dec. 31; 1-3:45 p.m. Jan. 1; 6:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 3 and 7-7:30 p.m. Jan. 6.

Happy New Year. We at Parks and Recreation thank you for your patronage and wish you a wonderful 2018.