Ice skating in July. There is something truly awesome about those four words together.

My best memories of ice skating are outside, in January, enjoying the winter wonderland.

But there is something delightfully sinful about going in the heat of summer. Nothing beats the summer heat like an afternoon in an ice-cold rink. And nothing is quite like exchanging your sun shades and flip flops for a down parka and ice skates.

Fortunately, you don’t have to travel far from home for this sinful pleasure. For the past two summers Ingersoll Arena in Pettengill Park in Auburn has been open year-round, and recent renovations have made skating more fun and accessible to the public than ever.

When I went last week, the temperature outside was 87.4 degrees. Inside, the cold hits you instantly. The facility temperature was in the high 30s, and its even colder when you step on to the surface of the ice.

Standing guard at the ice rink’s door was Larry McCarthy, the arena attendant. He showed me that behind the glass, the ice is much colder. He opens the door for skaters coming in and out, to keep the cold air in and hot air out.

When I asked Arena Coordinator Mike Berube how an ice rink can stay open when it is so oppressively hot outside, he acknowledged that yes, it’s very costly to keep the rink cold when it’s 90 to 100 degrees outside, but “overall, it’s cost-effective to do business in the summer.”

Berube said that ice time is booked solid, between the numerous men’s, women’s and teen leagues that rent ice time, as well as the high school and private hockey camps held through the summer.  In between all that, the facility is able to offer public skating time, shinny hockey (pick-up hockey) and skating lessons for kids and adults.

Summer skating is relatively new to Ingersoll Arena, 2010 being only the second summer it’s been offered in its 30-year history. Berube said that he pushed for summer hours because he noticed that when he visited other facilities open during the summer he noticed that “many of the people that were there were from this area,” he said. Only a few other rinks in the area are open during the summer; ice skaters from the L-A area used to have to drive to the Kennebec Ice Arena in Hallowell or the Family Ice Center in Falmouth.

All-in-all, the Auburn facility has been able to conduct some major renovations because of the demand by leagues and camps to buy ice time, Berube said. In the past few years the facility has installed a new refrigeration system, new boards, new glass, new rubber flooring and a completely remodeled pro shop. The arena has also recently purchased a completely brand new line of rental skates for youths through adult sizes, available at public skating times for $5 a person.

“A lot of people haven’t been coming to the facility — such as day cares, elementary schools and summer camps — because we didn’t have rental skates before,” Berube said. Now, hopefully that will change.

In the next few years, the facility plans to remodel three new locker rooms, build an event room for birthday parties and team meetings, and install a warming room above the bleachers area.

The Ingersoll Ice Arena started as an outdoor skating rink 30 years ago and has come a long way to a full-season ice arena. “It’s been a very positive experience,” Berube said, stressing that the arena is self-supporting, not tax-funded and pays for its own bonds.

When I went on a hot Wednesday afternoon for a public skate, there were only a half-dozen skaters on the ice. The rink seems to still be a hidden treasure in Pettengill Park, and Berube acknowledged that while more people are using the facility this year,” people are just getting accustomed to the fact that we’re open during the summer.”

Bruce Boutilier of Lewiston was at the open skate with two girls he takes care of, Katie Luu, 9, and Mai Luu, 6, of Auburn. He said Katie has been taking full advantage of the arena ice, taking figure skating lessons and attending the public skate twice a week.

“Not too many people know this place here exists,” Boutilier said. While the girls love swimming and ballet in the summer, too, skating is a favorite. Staying on the ice through the summer is key to improving her performance in the fall season, he said.

And, it’s fun.

Sarah Cornish of Auburn, who was there watching her son Tyler, agreed. “The more ice time, the better,” she said.  She takes Tyler to the rink for all the open skates and scrimmages that are held through the week.

Berube said shinny hockey, an informal type of pick-up hockey, is a popular event at the rink in the summer. Pick-up games are held in the late afternoon three or four times a week, costing $10.

In addition to public skates and shinny hockey, the rink holds a big theme night once a month.  Next Sunday, July 25, at 4 p.m., it’s disco night at the rink, where the DJ plays music from the disco era and everyone is encouraged to dress up. In the summer, there are usually about 120 people there, down from the 225 people the rink usually sees on theme nights in the winter.

Berube suggested that young children and beginners attend Wednesday’s public skate because it’s usually less crowded. And he said that if parents are not avid skaters themselves, they can call the arena and ask about the various programs they offer to both children and adults to be better skaters. He noted that adult skating lessons have become more and more popular at the rink.

On summer days when it is so oppressively hot, there are only so many times you can go to the beach. “If you find yourself wondering what Auburn-Lewiston has to offer,” Berube said, “pick a day and come skating!”

Ice skating rinks open during the summer

Ingersoll Ice Arena, Auburn

Public skating

• Wednesday 2:45 to 4:30 p.m.
• Sunday 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Cost: $3 for students, $4 for adults; skate rental $5

Shinny hockey

• Visit auburnmaine.org for a complete schedule. FMI: 333-6600 ext 2114

Kennebec Ice Arena, Hallowell

Public skating

• Monday through Thursday, noon to 1 p.m.
• Friday, 10:20 to 11:20 a.m.

Cost: $3 for public skate; $3 for skate rental

Shinny hockey

• Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

For more information, visit kennebecicearena.com or call  622-6354

Family Ice Center, Falmouth

Public skating

• Varies through the week — for an up-to-date schedule, visit their website.

Cost: $5 per person; $2 for skate rental. Senior citizens and children under 5 are free.

For more information, visit familyice.org or call 781-4200

Bridgton Academy  Ice Arena, North Bridgton

Public skating

• Sunday, noon to 2 p.m. until Aug. 15

For more information, call 647-3322

Portland Ice Arena, Portland

Public skating

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
• Sunday 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: $3 for kids under 16, $5 for adults; $2 for skate rental

For more information, visit portlandicearena.com or call 774-8553

Travis Roy Ice Arena, North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth

Opened on July 9. No public skating or shinny hockey schedules yet available.

For more information, visit nya.org or call 846-2384

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