My rink does not offer public freestyle sessions any more. There is only the public sessions, which are cheap but crazy-crowded or USFS club ice which is $17 per hour pre-paid in 11-week sessions. It sounds expense but it's actually a 60-minute hour so it's actually the same cost as the $14/40-minute freestyle sessions that the rink used to offer. Plus, the sessions are not crowded, the club has a music system and a jump harness that aren't allowed on the rink sessions and the rules of ice ettiquete are enforced so the sessions are pleasant and productive.
Skating is expensive. Unfortunately, I think a lot of parents look at the cost first and then switch their kids to soccer.