Bend Parks and Rec ready for busy winter season at The Pavilion; preseason girls HS basketball polls are out

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Bend Park and Recreation District operates the ice rink at The Pavlion 110 hours a week, and there's an open skate every day and several other fun programs.

Pavilion Manager Claire Gordon said Tuesday, “Our holiday open skates are a big hit. People love to go ice skating in the winter. Our adult hockey league is quite big as well as all of our skate school and youth hockey programs,”

Registration for BPRD's winter season at The Pavilion opens next Monday, as other winter programs also begin registration, and there are dozens of options.

Gordon noted there are several competition leagues to sign up for: “And that will include curling league for adults. Skate school for all ages. Youth learn to play hockey, youth hockey league, as well as our adult lunch league hockey.”

Classes fill quickly, with hockey being one of the most popular offerings. Tuesday morning, adults were skill training in an open session. Since no schools in Bend have hockey teams, The Pavilion has several teams in leagues for youth and adults.  

“So we have a really good learn to play hockey program for adults and youth," Gordon said. "So for the youth, we have learn to skate, learn to skate hockey, and then learn to play hockey, so you can get the fundamentals of skating and then get into learning how to play hockey.”

Curling is another popular offering; there are classes and teams, plus a $20 session open to anyone. The learn to skate classes are open to kids 4 and older, and even adults can find beginner lessons. 

Gordon noted that The Pavilion is for everyone to enjoy: ”That's the biggest thing is, people come here and enjoy themselves. It's whether you come for open skating, are you going to play hockey or you come to do figure skating or curling? You know, there's always something fun to do.”

There are only a few days to enroll for The Pavilion programs, as registration closes opens Monday and closes two days later, on Wednesday, Dec. 6.

Meanwhile:  This Friday, high school girls basketball is back.

        Here's a look at the pre-season coaches poll. 

         -In 5A, Mountain View leads the IMC at number 7, followed by Summit at 11.

     -In 4A, Madras sits at number 5, while Crook County is at 10.

     -For 1A we have our beloved Trinity Lutheran at number 6.

     The season starts this weekend, with four Central Oregon schools hosting tournaments, Bend High and Crook County kick it off Friday.