The brutality of last winter may still be fresh in our minds, but it still doesn't get cold enough here to freeze our lakes and ponds. Tampa's Downtown on Ice may be the next best thing. 

The city's only outdoor ice skating rink opened last Friday, Nov. 11, at downtown's Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N Ashley Dr., and will stay open until Jan. 1, 2012.

The 100-by-40-foot rink is sponsored by Friends of Tampa Recreation Inc. and the City of Tampa, and run by Ice Rink Events of Woodlands, TX.

J.R. Malone, venue manager for Ice Rink Events, said the temporary rink drew around 30,000 skaters last holiday season, and well over 1,000 this past weekend. 

For $10 a person, you get 90 minutes on the ice, plus rental skates. Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Snacks and drinks, sold on site by Catering by the Family, are cash only. 

Malone recommends leaving behind personal belongings that you can't skate with, such as purses and tote bags. 

Tampa's Downtown on Ice schedule is:

• Mondays through Thursdays 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Fridays 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sundays noon to 9 p.m.
• Thanksgiving Day closed
• Friday Dec. 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.