Ice skating has a rich history in Pullman

Ice skating has a rich heritage in Pullman, tracing back to the 1890s when Washington State College students skated on Silver Lake. In 1931, the college innovatively transformed a baseball field into a temporary rink, catering to 250 skaters each weekday and up to 700 on weekends. The tradition faced interruptions during World War II but was revived in 1949 due to student demand. A notable 1961 Evergreen report sparked a resurgence of interest, leading student leaders to fund an outdoor rink for five years. Despite this, the enthusiasm for ice skating dwindled, and plans for a permanent rink were abandoned.

The Palouse Ice Rink opened in 2001 and found a permanent home in 2022, offering accessible ice skating just a short drive away. Rising temperatures have made creating temporary rinks increasingly challenging, impacting the sport's local popularity. Nonetheless, interest in ice skating persists, evidenced by proposals for combined facilities as late as 1998.