Outdoor ice surfaces at local community rinks with a shelter and the downtown Speed Skating Oval are now open for the winter season.

Ice surfaces at Bower Ponds, Anders on the Lake, and Westlake will open Dec. 7 while other community rinks without shelters are expected to open early next week.

The City of Red Deer advises skaters that hockey sticks are permitted on boarded rinks and in designated areas at Anders on the Lake and Westlake only. Hockey is not permitted at Bower Ponds or the Speed Skating Oval.

Ice surfaces are open daily from now until early March, but are closed when temperatures, including wind chill, fall below -25C.

Hours for community shelters are determined by their community associations. For outdoor rink locations, visit www.reddeer.ca.

-Weber