Freezing weather may not be welcome by everyone, but for ice skaters, it's what they need to enjoy their outdoor sport.

In Ottawa and Marseilles, skating areas have been prepared. Now all that's needed is some cooperation from Old Man Winter.

In Ottawa, three locations were flooded last Friday, said Parks and Public Property Commissioner Wayne Eichelkraut. They are on the Illinois and Michigan Canal west of Columbus Street, and new this year — Fox River Park and Walsh Park.

Fox River Park received major upgrade during the summer, with one of the projects being the creation of an ice-skating pond.

"Hopefully, we'll get some freezing weather soon so the kids can enjoy them while they're off from school," Eichelkraut told The Times.

In Marseilles, a 26-by-28-foot rink was set up in Knudson Park and flooded Tuesday.

According to Commissioner Jim Buckingham, there hasn't been a skating rink in town for 10 to 15 years, although five or six years ago there was one on the south side of the Illinois River in Illini State Park.

Marseilles rinks used to be located at the Broadway Street tennis courts or the ball field on Commercial Street, Buckingham said.

Knudson Park was selected this year because it has better lighting and is across Lincoln Street from City Hall, the police station and the ambulance service.

"Safety is what I'm thinking of," Buckingham told The Times.

Another change in Marseilles is that Buckingham has set up a box in City Hall where pairs of skates may be donated for use by children or adults who don't have them.