Carson City ice rink opens downtown Saturday for the 2016-2017 season

Usually after Thanksgiving, it’s time to pull out the boxes full Christmas decorations.

But for many in Carson City, it’s also time to dust off the ice skates.

This Saturday, Nov. 26, Arlington Square Ice Rink opens at the corner of North Carson and West Robinson streets, across from the Carson Nugget.

Although Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space Development is under new direction, traditional features remain the same said Director Jennifer Budge.

“We want to keep it consistent,” she said. “We also want to encourage the community to use the facility. It’s a special part of Carson City.”

However, the only factor that’s changed is the timeline of the rink. The closure of the rink will be a week earlier than usual, scheduled for Jan. 27.

That’s because the generated revenue created a barricade, said Deputy Director Steve Brunner.

But this just better prepares the event for next season, he said.

“We’ll take a look at how we can overcome challenges for future seasons,” he said. “I want to see the season through and what enhancements can be put into affect.”

Budge said some of those enhancements would include funding for quality equipment for the rink. This was one of the main concerns in April for the Parks and Recreation Commission as they wrestled with reconciling Carson City’s Parks Department projects with its tight budget.

Budge said the city purchased used equipment that’s going beyond its lifespan.

“It’s something we want to continue throughout our entire park system,” she said. “We will come up with a plan to reinvest and find solutions to go around the aging infrastructure.”

Until then, the rink is offering skate sessions, discounts seven days a week, and family skate nights every Monday and Tuesday nights.

Admission & Skates:

$7 general (age 13+)

$5 youth (ages 3-12)

$3 skate rentals per session

After School Skating (elementary and middle school students): $5 Mon-Thurs, 3-5 p.m. with a hot beverage

Family Skate Night: Monday & Tuesday 6-9 p.m.: $5 with parent.

Skate Sessions:

Monday-Thursday: 3-5 p.m. & 6-9 p.m.

Friday: 3-5 p.m. & 6-10 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., 2-5 p.m., 6-10 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., 2-5 p.m., 6-9 p.m.

For more information about season passes and tent rentals, visit www.carson.org/icerink.