Interested in working at a warming house?

If you are 16 or older please call our office.  Open warming house hours are as follows:

Kaufman Park: 6-9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 1-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Galloway and Skinners Hill: 6-9 p.m. on Friday; 1-5 and 6-9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Patrons are allowed to use the skating rinks when warming houses are not open.

Online

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

Our archery classes began on Jan. 3 but you can still get in as we have four openings in our Wednesday evening class.

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.

Nature center

Watch for further notice regarding cross country ski and snowshoe rentals at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

When we have a measurable snow fall they will begin their free Thursday afternoon ski and snowshoe rentals from 3 to 6 p.m.

To check on ski conditions you can go to www.hormelnaturecenter.org, click on programs, ski rental and click the skinnyski page. You are not required to have a Minnesota Ski Pass to ski within 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 — Boys: Winona, 11:15 a.m. JV and 1 p.m. varsity, Jan 6; boys hockeyJan 9; LeSuer-Henderson, 5:30 JV and 7:15 p.m. varsity.

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

Packer Arena

Public skate: 6-7:30 p.m., Jan. 6; 2:45-4 p.m. Sunday; 6:30-7:30 p.m.