It’s opening night for Watertown’s Prairie Lakes Ice Arena!  (Audio)

February 23, 2024

Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–After well over a decade of conversations about location, cost, and how to pay for it, Watertown finally opens its new ice arena tonight.

The $36.5 million Prairie Lakes Ice Arena is located north of Hobby Lobby in a largely undeveloped area on Watertown’s east side.

Scott Gloe is the arena manager, and tells KWAT News what fans can expect to see…

The primary users of the facility will be hockey players and figure skaters, but it could grow beyond that…

Tonight, the first ever games are played in the new arena–Watertown Lakers boys junior varsity and varsity games against Mitchell. They start at 6 and 8 pm respectively, with free admission.

Tomorrow (Saturday) night, the Lakers boys JV and varsity teams host Oahe at 4 and 6 pm respectively, again with free admission.

Next weekend, the arena will host the South Dakota Varsity Girls State Hockey Tournament.