AUBURN – The city will rededicate the Ingersoll Arena on Thursday night to cap work on the ice surface, floor and sideboards.

The rededication ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday in the ice arena. The arena’s namesake, Norris Ingersoll, will speak.

The official opening is scheduled for Saturday.

The city installed new compressors, new boards and glass, and a new concrete floor for the rest of the arena, part of an effort to turn it into a year-round operation.

“We are currently scheduling time through the middle of August and if we are successful in securing enough rental revenue, we will continue to remain open until that time,” Parks and Recreation Director Pete Bushway said in a written statement.

The improvements cost $700,000. The city took out bonds to pay for the work and plans to repay the bonds with increased skating rink revenues.

Local youth hockey teams will be the first to use the ice when it opens for regular use Saturday morning. The first public skating session runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for high school students and seniors. Children younger than 4 years old are allowed in free of charge.