Dozens of children and adults attended the opening day of the Ice Rink located at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion multi-purpose building. The smell of popcorn and the swoosh of skates on ice filled the chilly room.

Andy Benedict took his son, Jackson, skating to celebrate a friend's birthday. Jackson said he enjoys skating and that the best part is getting to do it with friends.

"It's very good to be with all my friends," he said.

Skaters did laps around the rink as they adjusted to the slick ground beneath them.

Groups held hands and children used walkers to avoid falling. Two referees were on hand in the center in case of any accidents.

A few skaters were able to show off their footwork skills by doing twists and spins like Julia Stich.

Stich, who has worked at the ice rink for the past two years, competes but said she mostly skates just for fun. She added that it teaches a valuable life lesson.

"I think skating is a really good activity for everyone. I think it teaches you to fall back down and get back up, and the U.S. figure skating has a really cool program called Get Up. It's just about if you fall down in life or skating you just have to pick yourself back up," Stich said.

The Ice Rink is open daily until Jan. 15, 2018. Weekend admission, Friday to Sunday and school holidays, for a two-hour skate session is $12.50 for adults and $6 for children 5 and younger. Weekday admission, Monday to Thursday, for a two-hour skate session is $10.50 for adults and $5 for children 5 and under. All prices include skate rental. Helmet and walker (children's skate trainer) rentals are also available.

The rink has special holiday hours and will operate from 1-9 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

Table rentals and reservations are available for parties or corporate events as well.

For rental information, reservations and other details, contact the Ice Rink at 281-419-5630 or email icerink@spectrumfcs.com.