Senior Santeyne Thornton said he enjoys skating at Centennial Lakes because of the welcoming atmosphere.

“There are white lights put up around the lake that look nice. There are benches you can sit on outside if you get tired, and a warming house with hot chocolate and fireplaces if you get cold, Thornton said. “They have cheap skate rentals, so that’s convenient.”

Laura Knollmaier, assistant manager of Centennial Lakes, said Centennial Lakes is a unique ice skating facility to the Twin Cities because of its size.

“There is nothing like it in the rest of the metro area. It is 10 acres of groomed ice when the

weather permits us to get vehicles out on it,” Knollmaier said. “It is actually the largest out door groomed ice rink in America and the warming house offers just a quaint dwelling for large groups to come out and skate.”

Knollmaier said the length Centennial Lakes operates as a skating rink varies from year to year.

“It is very weather dependent, but typically in December (is when skating starts).  Usually at the end of February (the rink closes), ” Knollmaier said.

Junior Lillie Albright said she wants to skate on Centennial Lakes before the rink closes for the season.

“I would love to go to Centennial Lakes to skate. I think it would be a perfect thing to do with friends and then get hot chocolate after. (It’s) definitely a place I would like to visit,” Albright said.

Knollmaier said Centennial Lakes is open during holidays, but those hours differ from the rink’s regular hours.

“Holiday hours vary, so it is best to call our hotline for those hours if you are expecting to come out,” Knollmaier said.

Centennial Lakes is open for skating Monday through Friday from 4 p.m.-9:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. and on Sundays from noon-9:30 p.m. Skate rental costs $6.