From Deseret News archives:
Outdoor notes
The Park City Ice Arena will open for its first full season on Tuesday. The 20,000-square-foot Olympic-size ice sheet will open with a moderately revamped program schedule.
Due to initial interest in the arena, the City Council agreed to a summer ice session.
Ice Arena will offer an August "Summer Mini-Session," which includes a "learn to skate" class. The session runs from Aug. 8 to 26 then expands to a more comprehensive "Back to School" session from Aug. 27 to Oct. 6. The full-size "Fall Session" runs Oct. 8 through Dec. 20.
New programs will include a figure skating club, speed skating drop-in and possibly a curling club. Details will be available www.pcice.org.
KITE TUBING WARNING
Recent accidents in Utah and across the country have prompted Utah State Parks managers to advise boaters on the hazards of kite tubing.
A kite tube is a 10-foot wide, circular, inflatable watercraft that is towed behind a powerboat and can elevate riders up to 40 feet in the air.
Kite tubes have been responsible for a variety of injuries including a broken neck, punctured lung, chest, back and facial injuries, and two deaths nationwide.
The National Park Service has banned the use of kite tubes at Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. There is currently no ban in Utah's state parks, however, park managers strongly discourage their use.
All Utah State Park concession services have been asked to discontinue renting or selling kite tubes, and posters will be displayed at all water-based state parks warning of the hazards of using the device.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says kite tubes are "unreasonably dangerous" and kite tube manufacturers are voluntarily recalling about 19,000 Wego Kite Tubes. The view the voluntary safety recall, visit www.cpsc.gov.
Consumers should immediately stop using the kite tubes and contact Sportsstuff at 1-866-831-5524 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CST Monday through Friday to learn how to obtain free replacement products.
Consumers can also visit www.sportsstuff.com for more information.
BEAR RIVER CLASSES
The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge has two events scheduled next week.
Saturday, the refuge will hold a clinic on "Butterflies of Utah," hosted by butterfly experts Todd Stout and Steve Sommerfeld. Participants will be told how to identify various butterflies and where they can be found along the Wasatch Front. The clinic will run from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Monday, the refuge will hold a "Full Moon Photographic Tour." The tour will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will be conducted by naturalist De Ann Lester. Participants should bring water, outerwear, cameras, binoculars and spotting scopes.
Cost for either event is $1 per person or $5 per family.
