BREMERTON — In the Bremerton area, when it comes to thinking about activities one might engage in to keep busy, a few regular options might pop into mind: going to the movies, going to the Admiral Theatre, shopping or dining out. But one overlooked activity is also worthy of consideration: ice skating.

Skating might not be the most common activity in the area. Temperatures rarely get cold enough for snow, let alone for outdoor skating opportunities. But the Bremerton Ice Center is open almost year-round — except for a few weeks in the summer for facility maintenance — and anyone can partake.

“I’ve always thought that this may be the best kept (secret) entertainment facility in the city or the area of Bremerton,” said Dick Dolan, media relations for the center, which is part of Haselwood Auto Group. “I don’t believe that a lot of people even know that the ice center even exists for public skating.”

Dolan added, “We’re really the only one on the peninsula.”

Aside from public skating sessions offered most days, with a general admission price of $6.50, the center also offers skating lessons, from beginners to advanced, hockey lessons, also for beginners to advanced, competitive hockey and figure skating programs, birthday parties and full-facility rentals.

Nikki McCann, a Bremerton Ice Center employee, said they’ve given beginner skating lessons to adults, as well as to students as young as 3 or 4 years old.

“5 (years old) usually is the best, because they actually will stay out on the ice longer,” McCann said. “But … everybody, anybody, (even if you’ve) never skated, come in.”

The first class is called Learn to Skate, after which participants are tested and sorted into the appropriate level, based on established modules instructors follow.

Dolan said levels go “anywhere from a non-skater three-year-old up through, literally, almost professional.”

Some of the center’s skaters even participate in national-level figure skating competitions.

But perhaps the most populated program offered by the center is hockey. McCann said her kids have participated, and there’s now a “Learn to Play Hockey” program, which starts with the Learn to Skate class before advancing into hockey-specific lessons.

“Hockey is based on age and what level you’re playing at,” McCann said.

Their competitive program sorts teams by age, from the 6-7 age group up to 18. There are about eight youth teams, McCann said, with around 13 players on each team.

Older players participate in the adult league, which has two levels. That league has players ranging in age from 18 to 70.

“To be honest, if you talk to some of the adult guys, they live to come and play hockey,” McCann said. “They truly do.”

Currently holding playoffs, McCann said the teams don’t play for a “Stanley Cup,” like the National Hockey League plays for, but instead, a “Stanley Keg.”

“It’s actually in the bar,” McCann said. “It’s really funny. They take it pretty seriously, but it’s intense.”

The hockey league starts in August, and travels around Washington, and even south to Oregon and north to Canada. Occasionally, tournaments are held at the center.

So if you’re looking for something to do, especially now that the weather’s turning colder and holiday season is upon us, consider ice skating. It’s a fun afternoon activity, or an active, long-term hobby.

“I never did a sport,” McCann said. “I picked (ice skating) up. It’s just really fun. It is.

“And you get a workout without thinking it’s a workout. That’s how I look at it, because it’s just something different, especially for people that grew up here like I did, and didn’t have an ice rink.”

To learn more about the Bremerton Ice Center or to view a schedule of their sessions, visit www.bremertonicecenter.com.