The Woodbury Parks Department operates the Colby Lake Rink as a dual-purpose facility that converts seasonally between pickleball courts and a hockey rink, according to a presentation at the April 25 City Council meeting.

The facility transitions from pickleball to hockey each fall based on weather conditions, with staff monitoring temperatures to determine optimal conversion timing. The Parks Department extends the pickleball season as long as possible before beginning winter preparations, according to the presentation.

The conversion process requires a crew of six employees approximately three hours to complete. Staff remove fencing, pickleball nets, benches and other court accessories in preparation for winter flooding. All equipment sleeves are capped to create a flat surface for ice formation.

The spring transition back to pickleball courts begins after natural ice melting occurs. Staff reinstall poles into sleeves and replace pickleball nets to restore the courts for warm-weather use. The facility includes lighting that extends playing hours into evening.

The Parks Department will continue monitoring weather conditions on an ongoing seasonal basis to determine conversion timing and extend the pickleball season as long as possible each fall before the hockey season begins.