When do the ice rinks in Minneapolis close?
Weather and ice permitting, all rinks will stay open until March 1, 2021. Every day from 4:30 to 9 p.m., lights are turned on at each location, with the exception of five broomball rinks—Bryn Mawr, Logan, McRae, Van Cleve, and Windom NE—which stay lighted until 10:15 p.m. This year, due to concerns about COVID-19, the Minnesota Wild announced that they would not be holding their annual development camp from July 5-12 at the University of Minnesota's Ridder Arena. The event had been scheduled for right before the start of the season. Instead, they will hold their camp over the web. There will be daily presentations available online. The Minneapolis City Council approved a plan in February to shut down the city's three public ice rinks as an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The decision was made after discussions between city officials and representatives from USA Hockey, which operates the facilities. The action closes down the Hennepin County Government Center Ice Rink, located in downtown Minneapolis, as well as the North Star Ice Palace in Walker Lake and the Loring Park Ice Pavilion in Columbia Heights. The Hennepin County Government Center Ice Rink opened its doors in October 1989. The arena can seat up to 1,000 people and is the only operating facility in Minneapolis owned by the city government. The North Star Ice Palace opened its doors in January 1991.