Visitors sharpen skills at Civic Center

IRONWOOD - The Patrick O'Donnell Civic Center was filled with activity Tuesday afternoon as open skating drew a good-sized crowd.

"It's been crazy busy. It's great," said civic center director Brian Roehm, as he helped man the skate rental and concession stand. "It's great to see the place being used."

The civic center has open skating every day over the holidays, drawing skaters young and old from near and far.

"People come from the ski hills, people come from all over the world," said Roehm.

A quick glance of the license plates in the parking lot garnered Tennessee, Texas, Montana, Illinois, Minnesota, New York and Indiana, besides Michigan and Wisconsin.

Among the few dozen brightly clad skaters on the ice at anyone time, as others came and went from the warmer lobby area, was Matt Daniel, helping his 4-year-old daughter, Sydney, circle the ice surface clockwise. They're from Oak Park, Ill., and are up visiting family.

Another parent-child lesson pair went by earlier. They were from Rosemount, Minn., also visiting family.

Roehm said those are typical visitors, as well as many area school children, and adults looking to get out on their skates.

Open skating continues today from 1-3 p.m.; Friday, 6-8 p.m.; Saturday's New Year's Eve party, 8 p.m. to midnight; Sunday, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; and Monday, 1-3 p.m.

For more information, call the civic center at 906-932-0602.

-Larry Holcombe