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

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 (gloh) is the arena manager, and explains 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.

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.

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.