 Now, the recent bitter blast has left Bemidji's outdoor skating rinks shut down for now. The Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department says if the air temperature is 10 below and the wind chill factor is 20 below, city staff will close the warming houses and the outdoor rinks. So far this year, the frigid temperatures have shut down the city's four outdoor rinks multiple days. We just feel like, you know, if it's that cold out and there's a good risk to the public, we just want to not offer that service. Some people probably do take it upon themselves. We have noticed, though, the colder it gets in the evening hours or if it's windy, people just really don't want to be out recreating in that kind of weather. It just kind of takes the fun out of it a little bit. Around noon, the park staff looks at the forecast to determine if the outdoor rinks and warming houses will be open each day. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.