SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) -- The SCHEELS IcePlex in Sioux Falls has enjoyed a monopoly on ice skating during warmer-than-usual winters like this year. The city's outdoor rinks were able to open for the first time less than two weeks ago. Yet, they're very weather-dependent on staying open. And completion of the ice ribbon at the new Jacobson Plaza won't happen this month, after all. Homelessness in Sioux Falls: Numbers and needs That means for many local skating enthusiasts, the IcePlex has been the only game in town. Hailey Franka of Brandon and her three boys are taking to the rink as part of a Home School Skate at SCHEELS IcePlex. "The boys have been cooped-up at home and we decided to burn some energy off at the IcePlex," Franka said. Plenty of other skating families had the same idea. "There's all abilities here so I think this one's jealous of some of the kids that zip around the ice," (laughs) Franka said. Winter got off to another strong start at the IcePlex. "The numbers over the Christmas break period, our numbers were up from last year. Our concession sales go up with that as well, so it's a win-win in that regard," SCHEELS IcePlex General Manager Brian Prisbe said. And when the weather's too warm outside, the skaters head indoors. "A lot of it has to do with the fact that there's no outdoor ice. And it's a controlled environment. So even if there is outdoor ice, you're not fighting wind, you're not fighting snow, rain," Prisbe said. "They have wanted to go sledding, but obviously, that hasn't been an option and then there's nowhere to go ice skating, so we come here," Franka said. Even during a typical off-time, like during the middle of the day on a week day, you'll still find plenty of skaters on the ice. "It's a good opportunity for us to sell some ice in that dead time. Most rinks struggle to fill ice from 8 in the morning until 2 o'clock in the afternoon,when the primary user groups are in school, or at work," Prisbe said. Then there are the repeat customers. 17-year-old Kaitlyn French of Sioux Falls practices figure skating six times a week at the IcePlex. "Just kind of like you're flying. Just a lot of freedom, almost, to do what you can go ahead and do jumps, do spins do like any work that you want to do," Kaitlyn said. The much-anticipated opening of the ice ribbon at the new Jacobson Plaza in downtown Sioux Falls won't happen this winter due to a construction delay. The ice ribbon has been on the radar of the IcePlex because of its potential for drawing skaters away from this indoor venue. "Who doesn't want to skate outside on a nice winter day? I would want to do that versus maybe come here and skate, which is not anything new and fancy anymore. But that ribbon will definitely be competition for us," Prisbe said. But Prisbe says the IcePlex can adjust to the added competition by offering more indoor skating opportunities to groups like these home school families. And the young skaters can't wait to to hit the ice once again. "What do you think boys? Yeah, they like it. We're not very good. We're just pretty novice." BOY: "I love it, I love it I love it." "Yeah," Franka said. The IcePlex suffered a setback last year, just before the start of hockey season, when a leak in their chilling system turned the indoor ice into slush. The IcePlex was closed for seven weeks for repairs. Prisbe says the facility's three sheets of ice are now as good as ever.