Posted by Stacey, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, on Apr 12, 2008 at 1:55 pm

What a good idea to ask the Sharks to pay for the rest of the community park and get it built at the same time as the rink!

Mr. Sangari is correct that this will be a regional draw. I have to drive all the way to Redwood City to play ice hockey because the Dublin rink doesn't have a quality adult amateur hockey program. Interesting that Mr. Sangari is concerned about air pollution but doesn't see that driving to Redwood City is worse for the air than driving down the street. And I know I'm not the only one in the Tri-Valley driving that long distance to play ice hockey.

I don't agree with Mr. Sangari or Jon Violette that traffic will noticeably increase due to the ice rink. The shopping outlet planned by Livermore on the other side of El Charro will accomplish that much more than the ice rink (ie. people shop more than ice skate).

Posted by Resident, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Apr 12, 2008 at 9:35 pm

I think the ice rink is a great idea! I will certainly bring my kids there!

Posted by Jerry, a resident of the Oak Hill neighborhood, on Apr 13, 2008 at 2:23 am

Stacy, you're not one of those "put um through the glass" persons are you....

Inquiring minds want to know - what position do you play? My moneys on "goalie" or maybe "power foward". :)

Posted by Rick, a resident of the Vintage Hills Elementary School neighborhood, on Apr 13, 2008 at 8:51 am

I have these questions regarding the rink because the sharks are getting some very valuable land in this deal.

1. I the land being donated to the sharks in exchange for building the park?

2. How much will the sharks contribute toward park facilities? The article says "a significant amount".

2. Who will own the rink? The city or the Sharks or both?

3. What are the projected tax revenues the the city can expect ?

4. What are the costs to the city expected to be for traffic and police and fire etc....

I hope someone can answer these questions.

Posted by Stacey, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, on Apr 13, 2008 at 1:58 pm

Jerry,

I've played all positions but goalkeeper. I'm not that good at center, but it is fun to play sometimes. I think I do well at defense. :)

Posted by neighbor, a resident of another community, on Apr 15, 2008 at 9:43 pm

Jerry,

Your comment is inappropriate for this post. Please comment about the ice rink and not of other people.

Posted by PToWN94566, a member of the Walnut Grove Elementary School community, on Apr 15, 2008 at 9:54 pm

What is the point in putting in another ice rink when there is one in Dublin? Unless if that one is closing I don't see a need. But if or when the new one is built, I could see the older one in Dublin shutting it's doors.

Posted by Jerry, a resident of the Oak Hill neighborhood, on Apr 16, 2008 at 12:09 am

Neighbor,

If my comment is "inappropriate" and in violation of the Town Square "TERMS OF USE", please report me to those in charge and ask to have my comment removed. You can find the method for doing so at the bottom of "TERMS OF USE". :)

Posted by Paul, a resident of the Foothill Knolls neighborhood, on Apr 16, 2008 at 9:39 am

I've skated around in the arena industry as an owner/manager/consultant/player/coach/unameit here in the Bay Area for the past 20 odd so I'll give everyone the real heads up.

Personally, I've lost more money in this business than many earn in a lifetime.

I still have passion for the ice and the business, so I continue to promote ice skating through Holiday Ice venues etc.

In California, real estate is so valuable that it has become mission impossible to build new fulltime ice arenas.

Because we live in a fantastic climate and a diversified recreation region, ice skating arenas barely survive the competition from the more traditional sport activities.

Throughout North America, the National Hockey League has identified this issue and is now encouraging their local affiliates (Sharks) to develop community ice centers to help to promote the game of hockey and to bring the people a wonderful facilit addition for their cities.

Look no further than Dallas or Phoenix to see the success of this plan and the snowball effect it's created throughout Texas and Arizona.

Question: Will Dublin Iceland suffer at the hands of the new 4 ice rinks at Staples Ranch?

Answer: The ice skating community can work together to plan ahead and keep all of the ice centers open. We need more ice, not less ice.

Question: When the Oakland Ice Center opened, did it close Berkeley Iceland?

Answer: No. Berkeley Iceland developed new hockey and skating programs which in turn, put hundreds of new skaters on the ice.

Question: Why did Berkeley Iceland close?

Answer: They were cited by the city as having an unsafe refrigeration system and required changes that the Iceland Corp. could not afford.

Take it from this 45 year hockey vet.

These are the facts that many already know.

The Ice Arena business is not profitable.

Otherwise, we would see rinks everywhere.

Dozens of ice arenas in North America are now facing more difficult economic impacts and have either closed or may face closure very soon.

The financial power of the NHL and it's revenues from corporate sponsors through their affiliates are the solution to building and providing the public with community ice facilities.

Sorry for the run on, but I just want to help.

I fully support the efforts of our friends with SJAM and believe that we can work together to make their new facility the pride of Pleasanton.

Let's work together and build the ice for our future generations to enjoy.

FYI. Ice Oasis is up for sale.

Posted by Stacey, a resident of the Amberwood/Wood Meadows neighborhood, on Apr 16, 2008 at 9:09 pm

Jerry is my good-natured sparring partner!

Posted by , a resident of Livermore, on Apr 28, 2008 at 11:00 am

Good for Pleasanton! Is it true that this facility could include roller hockey, indoor soccer and box lacrosse? Livermore blew their chance several years ago. Take this opportunity and run with it!

Posted by John, a resident of Dublin, on May 12, 2008 at 1:42 pm

I truly hope this plan takes place. I drive out to the San Jose logitech ice arena at least twice a week. Once to play and the other for practice. The Dublin rink is old and lacks resources. They do not offer practice time or even a real league. The league offered for adults are contracted out to individuals. The San Jose rink is very professional. Leagues are created for all ages and offer lots of classes for those taking the first steps. I think all can tell from my passion on this plan and really hope it becomes reality.

John

Posted by Laura, a resident of another community, on May 12, 2008 at 2:44 pm

my husband and I drive to san jose and fremont ice weekly for our hockey games. what a relief it will be to cut our drive in half. i support the new pleasanton rink!

Posted by Nicole, a resident of Livermore, on Sep 13, 2008 at 8:06 pm

As a former skater, I would love to be near a rink with ice time available. The Dublin rink is not too far, but it is old and their public sessions are limited.

It would be wonderful to bring my children into the world of skating closer Livermore.