Batavia's Depot Pond opens for skating

Batavia's Depot Pond has opened for the season.

Park district crews cleared snow off the pond and opened it for ice skaters this week.

Although there have been bitterly cold days this winter, the ice hasn't been solid enough because of the warm days in between, said Eric Lacher, director of parks and properties.

For liability reasons, officials require the pond to have at least 8 inches of clear ice on the pond for people to skate.

The pond was almost ready to go in December, but a warm spell made the ice slushy, he said. Tuesday afternoon was the first time this season it was open for skaters.

The pond, near city hall on Island Avenue, is open from sunrise to sunset. Skaters are free to use the Peg Bond Center to warm up from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The pond is only open for an average of 14 days a season, Lacher said. Any time there is standing water, even from a small hole, they can't put up the green flag that lets people know it's safe, Lacher said.

Crews check the pond twice a day.

"We highly recommend that people go on the cleared ice only -- that's the area we've considered safe for use," Lacher said.