SUNY Oswego Student Association Planning Board (SAPB) hosted ‘80s Ice Skating on Oct. 17 in the Deborah Stanley Arena & Convocation Hall.

The event was open to all SUNY Oswego students, faculty and staff with no fees from 5:30-7:30 p.m. SAPB is planning to have two more free events like this in the coming weeks, according to Skate Shop Manager Tim Graber. 

Graber said before SAPB requested the themed skate, the only special open skates were for holidays like Valentine’s Day or Halloween. He also said he loves the free sessions because they are an “easy, casual event” and hopes to see more in the future.

Open skate typically costs $1 for admission and $3 for skate rentals for all SUNY Oswego students. SAPB paid for admission of students and any skate rentals at the ‘80s open skate and will pay for the next two events as well.

“Skating is one of the only events students have to pay for on campus,” Graber said. 

Graber said even though he does not know the theme for the other open skates that will be put on by SAPB, the plan is for a movie to be played on the scoreboard above the ice. The next events are planned for Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 at the same time as the first. 

Due to COVID-19, all participants who come to the themed events or any skating activities, including open skate, skate and shoot or figure skating skills development, must wear a mask at all times and show their SUNY Oswego ID. 

Further, all open skate events will not be open to the general public until further notice, according to the SUNY Oswego website.

The list of all skating-related events can be found on the Campus Life portion of the SUNY Oswego website under Skate Shop Services. Other free SAPB sponsored events have been confirmed through the SUNY Oswego events calendar, with a theme of “Hocus Pocus”.

Kailee Montross | The Oswegonian