Hundreds take a spin during free skate day

More than 600 skaters took advantage of the Chamber of Commerce's holiday gift to the community Tuesday at the Arlington Square Ice Rink.

"I feel great. I think it's just awesome," said Stan Jones, second vice chair on the chamber's board of directors. "I was there for about a half-hour this afternoon, and there was a line clear around Curry Street the whole time. Maybe with a little bit of luck, we can make it an annual event. Whatever it ends up costing, it was worth it."

The free community skating sessions were offered from 11 a.m.-

2 p.m. and from 3-5 p.m. In addition, youngsters from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada had the rink to themselves from 9-10:30 a.m. Normally, the cost for a two- or three-hour session is $5 for ages 12 and younger, $7 for general admission and $3 to rent skates. The chamber is picking up the tab for both sessions and skate rentals.

Jim Smolenski, immediate past president of the chamber, said from the rink Tuesday that he was extremely pleased with the turnout.

"I'm on the ice right now on this first go-around, and they had to close it off because they were at capacity," he said. "I think Stan and I hit a home run with this - everyone loves this. There's a waiting line and it's only 12:30."