Did you think you wanted to try archery?

On Monday, Dec. 28, we offer just that, an introduction to archery class. The cost is $10 and class is limited to 12 participants so register early. All equipment will be provided.

The following is a breakdown of our classes: Ages 9 to 11: 6 to 6:40 p.m.; age 12 to 15: 6:45 to 7:35 p.m. and age 16 and up: 7:40 to 8:30 p.m. Class is held at the 4-H building located in the Mower County Fairgrounds. Pre-registration is necessary, please sign up in the Park and Recreation office.

Youth Archery League will again be offered and held on Wednesday and Thursday nights starting Jan. 6 and 7 and running for 11 weeks. League will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the 4-H building located in the Mower County Fairgrounds. Equipment is available if you don’t have your own. Cost is $50. Register early as the league fills up fast.

Dome is up

The dome is up in Austin and it is time to start thinking about registering for the U12 and U14 Girls Fast Pitch Softball Winter League. The cost per team will be $700. On a roster of 10 that is $70 per player. The roster may have a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 players. Register your full team with the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. The deadline is Dec. 28.

Teams must have a coach that is 18 years of age or older. The focus of this league is for skill and player development. We want participants to experience the game of softball and have fun doing it. Teams will play six weeks on Sundays starting Jan 3 and going through Feb 7. Games will start at 1 p.m.

 Riverside and Packer Arena

Adult Open Hockey is at Riverside Arena from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. this Wednesdays and Dec. 23. The cost is $6 per person, you must be at least in high school, no checking, no alcohol and a helmet is required. Goalies are free and must have full gear.

Check out renting a private hour of ice for $130. If you need skates, Packer is the place to go.

Public skate at Packer Arena will be 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 23; 2:45 to 4 p.m. Dec. 26; ; 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. Dec. 27; 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29; 3 to 4:45 p.m. Dec. 31; 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. Jan. 1 and 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 2.

The cost is $4 to skate and $1 to rent skates if you need them. Family or single memberships are also available to purchase. The family membership for two is $70 with $5 for additional family members; a single is $50.

 Youth soccer

Austin Youth Soccer Association has changed the start date and time that they will be offering Dome Skill Camps for students.

•U6/U9: 6 to 7 p.m. Mon and 6 to 7 p.m. Thurs on Jan. 11,14,18,21,25,28 Feb. 1 and 4. Cost is $30.

•U10/U11: 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 6 to 7 p.m. Thurdays Jan 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28, Feb. 1 and 4. Cost is $75.

•U12/U13,U14/U15and U16/U17: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Sundays Jan .10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31, and Feb. 4. Costs is $95

•Saturday morning’s team league play is from 8 a.m. to noon

Sunday times may be subject to change. Register at Games People Play, Austin Park and Recreation or online at www.austinyouthsoccer.org.

There are scholarships available to students for activities offered by us or the youth associations that will be held in the dome if you qualify for free and reduced lunch. You must apply for those through the APS Athletic office located in Austin High. Call 507-460-1825.

 Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

Have you ever given it a thought to join the Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center?

The benefits of being a member include the semiannual newsletter, an invitation to the Friends Annual Meeting, $5 off each child’s fee for all summer adventure programs, $5 off tickets to the Thanksgiving Feast, members-only bus tour field trips, members-only events and classes for youth and families at the nature center, an opportunity to give a one-year gift membership to a non-member and an opportunity to support and promote environmental education programming.

A membership can make a great gift to give, check it out.

 Austin Bruins

The Bruins next home games will be Friday hosting Minnesota Wilderness. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. Do you have plans for New Year’s Eve? Bruins host Coulee Region during this year’s New Year’s Eve game.

Tickets can be purchased at the following sponsor locations; Hy-Vee, Holiday Inn, Jim’s Marketplace and Games People Play or at the Box Office on game day. Visit their website at www.AustinBruins.com for more info.

Thank you to all that participate, volunteer and work to put on the activities offered by Park and Recreation Department and others in our community. Have a safe and joyful holiday season.