Park & Recreation Commission Item

 

For the 2026–2027 ice skating season, staff recommends flooding nine ice rinks at five locations and staffing three warming houses, consistent with the 2025-2026 season. This includes maintaining family and hockey rinks at Bandimere Park, the Chanhassen Recreation Center and North Lotus Park, along with family rinks at Pioneer Pass Park and Roundhouse Park.

 

With the continued progress of the Civic Campus Project, staff is evaluating the possibility of bringing back a family rink at City Center Park. While the original plan anticipated reopening the family rink for the 2026-2027 season, logistical challenges related to transporting water to the proposed rink location have made its feasibility uncertain. Staff is currently exploring alternative flooding methods to determine whether the rink can be accommodated this season.

At this time, staff is recommending nine rinks across five locations, with the potential to expand to ten rinks across six locations if the City Center Park family rink becomes feasible. A final determination will be made once staff has evaluated the available options for flooding and maintaining the rink.

The hockey rink previously located at City Center Park will not be replaced. Future ice needs are expected to be supported by the Chanhassen Bluffs Community Center, where youth hockey associations will have opportunities to rent refrigerated ice.

 

As in previous seasons, warming houses at Roundhouse Park and Pioneer Pass Park will remain unstaffed. However, staff recommends continuing to flood and maintain family rinks at both locations to provide additional opportunities for outdoor recreational skating throughout the community.

 

Locations

 

Bandimere Park

1 - Family Rink

1 - Hockey Rink

 

Chanhassen Rec Center

1 - Family Rink

2 - Hockey Rinks

 

City Center Park (Pending Feasibility)

1 - Potential Family Rink

 

North Lotus

1 - Family Rink

1 - Hockey Rink

 

Pioneer Pass Park

1 - Family Rink *no warming house

 

Roundhouse Park

1 - Family Rink *no warming house

 

Total Proposed: 9 rinks at 5 locations, with the potential for 10 rinks at 6 locations.

 

Warming House Hours

 

Chanhassen Rec Center, North Lotus Park and Bandimere Park

 

Weekdays 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.                                                         

Saturdays 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.                                                       

Sundays 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.                                                         

 

No School Days 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. 

December 24 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

December 25 Closed

December 31 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

January 1 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.