Skating village puts new spin on holiday season in CdA

In the sunshine of Saturday afternoon, fathers led their little girls around the small ice rink overlooking Lake Coeur d’Alene while seasoned skaters at center ice practiced fancy footwork and spins.

The South Pole Skating Village opened Friday at the Coeur d’Alene Resort.

Part of the 2007 Coeur d’Alene Holiday Light Show, the rink got a jump on the holiday hustle and bustle, which won’t kick off officially at the resort until Nov. 23.

Lynn Wiedemann, of Coeur d’Alene, brought her 9-year-old granddaughter, Destiny, to the rink Saturday.

“This is fun,” Wiedemann said. “I think this is a nice choice on a Saturday afternoon.”

The two said Destiny is planning to take lessons twice a week for the next five weeks.

Susan Laing was there with her niece, Deborah Lince, and Lince’s sons, Clayton, 8, and Kyle, 5. The group was visiting Coeur d’Alene from Seattle and Olympia and read about the new rink online.

“There aren’t enough family things to do anymore,” Laing said.

It was the first time on blades for the rest of the family, and Lince said she was terrified at the idea of skating. She put her faith in her son’s excitement.

“If they can do it, I can do it,” Lince said.

Scott Crawford said skating was a nice way to spend time with his daughter, Cassidy, 4, a first-timer.

“It was incredible for her,” he said. “We were going to go to Spokane, but this is perfect since we live in Post Falls.”

About a quarter the size of a hockey rink, the portable rink will be open through Jan. 6.