After a stretch of volatile winter weather that included melting ice, rainfall, and a major winter storm, the City of Coon Rapids is steadily restoring normal operations at its outdoor skating facilities.

City officials confirmed that the Thorpe Park warming house reopened to the public on Monday, December 29, 2025. Warming houses at Riverview Park, Sand Creek Park, and Wintercrest Park are scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, December 30, marking a near full return of neighborhood rink operations across the city.

Weather Disruptions and Closures

The temporary shutdown followed a challenging sequence of late December weather events. Periods of above freezing temperatures and rainfall caused surface melting and standing water on several rinks, forcing maintenance crews to halt flooding operations. Flooding during thaw conditions can trap water beneath the ice surface and compromise the integrity of the ice base for the remainder of the season.

Those conditions were quickly followed by a Winter Storm Warning on December 28, which brought heavy snowfall and strong winds across Anoka County. All warming houses were closed during the storm due to hazardous travel conditions and the need to prioritize city wide snow removal operations.

Once the storm passed, parks crews worked to clear snow, resurface ice, and inspect conditions before reopening facilities to ensure skater safety.

Rink Maintenance and Safety Standards

Coon Rapids maintains a total of nine outdoor rinks, including five regulation hockey rinks and four open pleasure skating rinks. Ice surfaces are maintained daily through shaving, sweeping, and flooding when weather conditions allow.

The city follows established safety thresholds that guide temporary closures. Warming houses and rinks typically close when air temperatures reach minus five degrees Fahrenheit or when wind chills fall to minus twenty degrees. Facilities may also close during heavy snowfall, rainfall, or when ice becomes too soft to support skating without creating deep, unrepairable ruts.

City officials note that ice quality can change quickly during Minnesota winters, and short term closures may still occur as conditions fluctuate.

Warming House Hours and Seasonal Operations

While outdoor rinks are generally accessible during standard park hours from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., warming houses operate on a more limited schedule, weather permitting:

• Monday through Friday: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday and school closure days: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

All warming houses are closed on holidays. The outdoor rink season typically runs from mid December through mid February, depending on weather conditions.

Options for More Consistent Ice

For residents seeking more reliable skating conditions during temperature swings, the Coon Rapids Ice Center offers a refrigerated outdoor rink. Because it uses artificial refrigeration rather than natural ice, the rink often opens earlier in the season and remains usable during brief warm ups that affect neighborhood rinks.

The city encourages skaters to check official parks and recreation updates for the latest rink conditions and warming house status as winter weather continues to evolve.

MinneapoliMedia