PENDLETON, HERMISTON — Residents and visitors to Umatilla County have two options to hit the ice this December.

Roy Raley ice rink

In Pendleton, the Roy Raley Ice Rink opened Dec. 2.

During the winter, the city of Pendleton transforms a set of basketball courts at Roy Raley Park, 1205 SW Court Ave., into an ice rink used for hockey and ice skating.

When school is in session, the rink is open 3:30-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3:30-8 p.m. on Fridays, and noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The rink will feature expanded hours during the winter break for the Pendleton School District — it will open at noon, seven days a week. The rink will be closed on Christmas Day.

The cost to skate is $5 including skate rental or $3 if you bring your own skates.

The Roy Raley Ice Rink will also feature a special visit from Santa Claus during the annual “Skate with Santa” event on Dec. 23. This holiday tradition follows the jolly ol’ elf as he arrives at the ice rink on a Zamboni and hands out candy canes.

For Skate with Santa, the man in red will arrive at 10 a.m., hand out candy canes and be available for candid photos. Skate with Santa also includes games for kids and activities on the ice.

Skating is free during the event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Refreshments and warm drinks will be available for purchase at the concessions stand.

The ice rink’s second annual event, the Ice Carnival, is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 27.

Skating and skate rentals will be free during that event, and staff will again lead games and activities on the ice.

This could be the final year for the Roy Raley Ice Rink in its current configuration. Pendleton Parks and Recreation Director Liam Hughes said they are working to rebuild and replace the rink.

The project calls for an expanded rink and ADA upgrades. Whether the rink is replaced in 2025 or 2026 will depend on funding. Either way, the ice rink will remain at Roy Raley.

“It’s Christmas, you see kids skating, and it’s just wonderful,” Hughes said.

Candy Cane Village

Fans of ice skating can also make a trip to Hermiston and the Candy Cane Village at the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center. The city of Umatilla was unable to set up its ice-less ice skating rink this year because of construction. The rink has been set up at EOTEC as part of the Land of Lights (more on page 16).

“This is the first year for the ice skating, but it’s nice to see,” EOTEC Executive Director Al Davis said. “It’s all part of regional collaboration — and part of our holiday season.”

The skating rink at Candy Cane Village will be open through Jan. 4. Skating is $5 for youths and $7 for adults, and that includes skate rental.

The rink hours are 4-8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, at EOTEC, 1705 E. Airport Road, Hermiston.