BEMIDJI -- The warming houses at Bemidji's city ice rinks are now open for the season.
Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department is once again offering outdoor rinks and warming houses at Bemidji City Park and Nymore Park.
According to Parks and Rec Director Marica Larson, both the general skating rinks and hockey rinks have been flooded and are ready for skating and the warming houses are staffed and ready for visitors.
Warming houses and rinks are located at the Bemidji City Park, 1224 23rd Street NW, and Nymore Park, 423 Wilson Avenue SE.
Larson said the warming houses at the rinks weren't able to be open at all last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, so they are excited to have those back open and staffed this winter.
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The warming houses will be open from 3 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The extended hours for the warming houses are noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Larson said that as staff numbers increase they hope to expand hours more throughout the week.
A concession stand is also available in the warming house at City Park and opens when the warming house opens each day.
"We have popcorn, hot chocolate and some snacks and drinks like Gatorade and might be expanding to include pizza next week," Larson said.
Related: More programs hosted by Bemidji Parks and Rec
"The rinks are lit up each night with the lights on until 8:30 p.m.," Larson added.
All rink maintenance including flooding and snow removal is completed in the mornings and the rinks will be available for public skating after the Parks and Rec crew has completed their work.
"We were worried this year with being able to find staff to help us keep the rinks and warming houses up and running," Larson said. "But within the last week, week and a half we've gotten a few more applicants and people willing to work, so we're excited."
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Larson also mentioned the city was recently awarded a grant from the Bernick Family Foundation, which will allow the city to offer ice skate rentals in the coming weeks.
She said skates will either be available at the warming houses or the Tourist Information Center, and more information will be announced by the department as details are ironed out.
Larson encourages residents to check the city website for updated information on the warming houses based on current weather conditions.
"We do have a policy where if it's a 20 below or lower windchill we will close the houses, so people can stay up to date with any current closures on the website," she explained. "We try to keep them open as much as possible and hope people are taking advantage of them."
For more information, visit the Parks and Rec website at www.ci.bemidji.mn.us.
