(Arnolds Park)– The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce says only a few activities for this coming weekend’s University of Okoboji Winter Games will be held on the ice.
Officials say unstable ice conditions are to blame.
Even though colder temperatures arrived a couple weeks ago and ice conditions were starting to improve, recent snowfalls have complicated matters. Officials say it’s acting as a blanket of insulation.
So Erin Roe of the Chamber says only a few events will remain on the ice. They include spas on ice, the Polar Bear Plunge and all kids events, which will be held at Okoboji Boats. The Snowmobile Radar Run, Little Sioux OHV/ATV Ice Challenge and the golf ball long drive contest will also remain on the ice.
All other events have been moved OFF the ice. Snowball softball will be held at the Milford Memorial Softball Complex; Lakes Area Hockey Shoot-Out will be at the Bedell Family YMCA in Spirit Lake; and Broomball will be held in the vacant lot just north of Shaw Paint, Glass and Locksmithing in Okoboji.
All other events will take place as scheduled.
Roe says the chamber is encouraging everyone NOT to drive vehicles onto the lakes. Parking will be available at Emerald Hills Golf Club, the Arnolds Park Amusement Park parking lot, and the state boat ramp across from Kum ‘n Go in Okoboji. RIDES will be operating shuttle buses from those locations at a cost of 75 cents per-person. Additional sites will be included along the shuttle route and will be marked with signs. The shuttle will run Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m.; Saturday from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 a.m. and Sunday from Noon until 5:00 p.m.
Any questions should be directed to the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at (712) 332-2107.
