MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Parks and Recreation Department will be opening the ice rink on Friday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m., where the public can skate and play hockey until the last week of February. Public skating is open from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Opening the rink every year, which the Parks and Recreation Department has done since 2006, is an opportunity to provide the community with another outlet for sports and outdoor recreation, said Recreation Supervisor Tom Los.

“This provides a safe environment for kids,” Los said. “You can skate on the lake, but you’re taking a risk. Here you don’t have to worry about that.”

Preparing the rink every year is a massive project, and the entire Parks and Recreation maintenance crew has worked for days to lay down layer after layer of ice on chilled cement, with a layer of white paint and hockey markings halfway in the frozen sheet.

Daily admission is $3 for adults and $2 for youth aged 5-17 and seniors over 65 years of age. Children 4 and under can participate for free. Skate rentals cost an extra $5.

Other options such as punch cards and season passes are also available for those planning on skating more frequently. For youth and seniors, a season pass costs $65 with skate rentals and $35 without. For all other adults, a season pass costs $75 with skate rentals and $45 without.

Unlike the season pass, a punch card is transferable and can be used by anyone. For youth and seniors, a punch card costs $45 with skate rentals and $15 without. For all other adults, a punch card costs $55 with skate rentals and $25 without.

Season Passes and punch-cards can be purchased at the Ice Rink or online at mlrec.com, and picked up at the ice rink.

Ice skating lessons will begin Nov. 19 and are scheduled for Monday evenings. Lessons are $50 for six 30-minute lessons. For more information on ice skating lessons, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 509-764-3805.

The Moses Lake Youth Hockey Association still has openings for more participants age 4-17, and the season will start on Nov. 17. For more information on youth hockey, contact Ryan Porter at 509-750-1070.

For kids with little hockey experience, the Beginning Hockey program, started last year, allows participants to learn the basics of hockey without the large cost of buying gear. Kids 3-11 can sign up for $60, which includes rentals for almost all required equipment except skating socks and skates, and kids who want to continue on into the Youth Hockey Association will have their $60 put towards fees for participation.

The Beginning Hockey program, which runs from 5 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, is more than half full. Register at mlrec.com, then call the Moses Lake Youth Hockey Association to be sized for gear.

Adult hockey plays Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 9:45 p.m. for all skill levels. The Adult Hockey League is still taking registrations and will start on Nov. 20th. Contact Chris Hesse at 509-361-9672 for more information.

Adults and kids can play together during Stick & Puck sessions, where players of all ages can learn how to play on Sundays from 6:15 to 8 p.m. The cost is $7 per evening or $35 for a two-month session.