Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the Hermiston Herald and is part of a content-sharing partnership between Northeast Oregon Now and the Hermiston Herald.
By Beau Glynn
Local skating enthusiasts are strapping on their skates and donning their scarves and gloves.
The Umatilla Ice Skating Rink open for business.
The rink opened Dec. 9 for its second season but now is at the Umatilla Marina Park. In December 2021 it was next to Umatilla City Hall. The new location can be a little chilly, though there are warming tents and hot chocolate at the site.
“It’s pretty neat. It has a nice view of the river, even though it might be a little colder,” Umatilla Parks and Recreation Director Chris Waite said.
Waite said the rink will stay in operation for three months, closing at the end of February.
The rink is composed of a synthetic artificial material that Waite said is more energy efficient than standard ice.
“The rink is not dependent on cooling mechanisms or cold temperatures, seeing as it’s a synthetic product,” Waite said. “So there’s less of an energy impact to keep the surface cold.”
Last year, according to City Manager David Stockdale said, the rink partnered with the Umatilla School District for skating lessons, something he said the city hopes to do again this year.
“We’re hoping that it becomes more and more popular, and that we can get people out there as much as we can,” he said.
The ice rink is typically open on Fridays from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. For more information, call 541-922-3226.
