The Bend Park and Recreation District’s ice season at The Pavilion began on Wednesday.

The 2024-25 ice season is expected to run through early April, weather permitting. The Pavilion will be open from pre-dawn to late night, seven days a week, including daily public open skate opportunities and the return of adult and youth hockey leagues and curling.

Weekly schedules are available at bendparksandrec.org. All public skate sessions are drop-in, no reservation needed, and include rental skates. Skaters are encouraged to bring their helmet or borrow one at The Pavilion.

The Pavilion team worked behind the scenes over the past week to build and prepare the ice sheet for activities.

“The arrival of the ice sheet is welcomed by our staff as well as the community and we’re pleased that the weather changed just in time to assist with the ice building,” said Clare Gordon, The Pavilion manager. “We are excited for a full season of registration programs, drop-in sessions and special events starting immediately.”

Halloween Skate is scheduled for Oct. 31 from 1 to 4 p.m., which is also a no-school day for elementary school students in Bend-La Pine Schools. Costumes are welcome but are not required. The $7 per person fee includes rental skates.

Discount passes are now available for The Pavilion for season or multi-visit passes. A season pass offers quick check-ins and is valid for all public skate sessions. Ice season passes purchased by Oct. 31 are 10% less than regular prices.

Youth and adult hockey programs, curling and skate lessons begin next week.

Many programs for now through December are nearly full with limited availability for registration now in adult and youth “learn to skate” and “learn to curl” programs at register.bendparksandrec.org.

A second session of ice skating and sports programs, offered from January to March, will open for registration Dec. 9-11.