Muncie's Horizon Center will open its ice rink for the fourth season this week. Admission is $4 for Ball State students with an ID to spend the evening on the ice Thursday nights.
Ice rink supervisor Annette Klingenberg said they are hoping to draw in college students by making Thursday nights College Night. She said many high school students skate on the weekends, and many mothers bring their young children during the week but Thursdays are a bit slower. She said this was a great opportunity for college students to come individually, as a couple or in groups.
"Skating is a great outdoor activity," Klingenberg said. "It's a great experience for not only those who have been skating for years, but also those with less experience."
Whether an experienced figure or hockey skater or just someone who loves to skate, Klingenberg said anyone will enjoy spending an evening on the ice. She shared a story of a man in his late eighties who jokingly told her that his wife would kill him if she knew he was out on the slippery ice, but he just loved to come out and skate anyway.
"It's really a place for everybody," Klingenberg said.
Klingenberg has taught figure skating lessons for almost three years and said she is expecting a decent turnout for this season. Group and private lessons are offered. A class for those under 5 years old is offered as well called "Mom and Tots," but Klingenberg said the toddler has to be accompanied by their mother or father.
An adult hockey league meets on Wednesday nights. Todd Huxhold, the rink's facility director, said things can get a little rough sometimes. They permit full body checking and play in full pads. On Sundays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. anyone is welcome to participate in the "Stick n' Puck" session. This is more of a learning environment where checking and slap shots are not permitted, and participants will learn the basics of stick handling.
"We are really looking forward to the season," Huxhold said. "This should be our best season yet."
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