BY JESSALYN KIRCHHOFF
In the midst of the constant bad luck and bad news of 2020, the Downtown Hays Development Corporation decided to bring something good to its public. Last week, DHDC shared the grand opening of its Hays Pavillion Ice Skating Rink with the members of Hays.
Free cookies and hot chocolate was served, and free thirty-minute skate sessions to test out the artificial ice were available. The Fort Hays State University Cheerleaders manned the skate booth and will frequently be seen as the team helping with tasks in the future. Many patrons of the rink had great things to say about the rink and the new activities that it has made possible for people of all ages to enjoy.
Though anyone is welcome to participate in a skate night, parent and community member of Hays, Alyssa Grant pointed out that the ice skating rink is highly beneficial to the youth of Hays.
“This (ice skating) will keep kids out of trouble after school and keep them active,” Grant said. “Normally all they do is sit at Cerv’s, play on their phones or electronics, or deteriorate inside. This skating rink will be a great way to get them outside, out of the house, and launch the youth into what they need the most right now, exercise.”
Kaylee Oehmke, a freshman student at FHSU who attended the event, noticed the kids struggled with this unfamiliar activity at first, but soon got the hang of it.
“It took a little bit for the kids to get used to ice skating, we do live in Kansas after all, but once they got the hang of it, there was no stopping them,” Oehmke said. “I think the ice skating rink is a fantastic advancement to the Hays activity list. It is an activity that can be enjoyed by all ages and can be done as a family.”
She was also not shy to share her own personal excitement about the rink saying she was looking forward to going with her friends this winter.
Even though Victor E. didn’t have anything to say about the night, it looked like he had a blast at the grand opening night too.
Alexis Arasmith, a freshman at FHSU said the rink will have a positive effect on children as well as college kids alike.
“This is a great addition to the Hays community and I think that this will really bring the community together as well as something for the Fort Hays State University students to do on weekends,” Arasmith said.
The rink is open 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 1 to p.m. Sunday. Private party hours are available 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays and 12 to 1 p.m. on Sundays. Contact the Downtown Hays Development Corporation at 785-621-4171 to reserve a private party.
Skaters need to sign an insurance waiver (or have parents of children under the age of 18 sign). The cost to participate is $7.00 per skater, which grants patrons skates and an hour of skate time. There are also punch cards available.
All and any other questions can be answered by going to the Downtown Hays website or calling the Downtown Hays Development Corporation.
