Hundreds of skaters kept Pleasanton's new outdoor skating rink busy over the weekend as many families took advantage of free horse-drawn carriage rides between the rink on Old Bernal Avenue and the Museum On Main downtown.
The weather helped, with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-60s, drawing big pre-Thanksgiving crowds to Farmers Market and downtown stores and restaurants where special discounts were being offered. The good-weather weekend partly made up for a smaller number of shoppers Friday night when strong winds and rain moved into Pleasanton.
The city's first seasonal rink will operate through Jan. 10 on a portion of the public parking lot that serves the Pleasanton Library and Civic Center on Old Bernal Avenue.
Throughout the rink's operation, skaters will receive a 'Skater's Special' coupon in which they can receive gifts or discounts from more than 50 downtown Pleasanton retailers and restaurants.
The free horse-drawn carriage rides operate on Friday and Saturday nights through Dec. 12. For more information, contact the Pleasanton Downtown Association at 484-2199.
The Pleasanton rink is being operated and managed by San Jose Arena Management, which owns the San Jose Sharks, in a deal that was announced a few months ago between SJAM and the city of Pleasanton.
SJAM is paying all costs of building and operating the rink with the city contributing about $20,000 for added power and lighting, costs that will be reimbursed from SJAM profits from ticket sales and sponsorships. All net proceeds from the operations of the winter rink will be donated to Pleasanton education, sports and recreational activities.
The city and SJAM have signed a five-year contract for a holiday rink. The library location was not the preferred choice, however. City Manager Nelson Fialho said he hopes to persuade the owners of properties where Round Table Pizza or the now-closed Domus variety store are located to allow the rink on one of their parking lots next year. So far, these owners have refused.
The Civic Center-Library site was the original location that was approved by the City Council. Later, Fialho, at the recommendation of city staff and SJAM engineers, moved the proposed rink location to Delucchi Park, but was forced to retreat back to the Civic Center lot when several residents on Second Street complained to the council.
As a result of those complaints, at least two council members said they couldn't approve the Delucchi site without formal public hearings and possibly an environmental impact report. Those requirements would likely have put off this year's planned outdoor rink until next year, if then, so the rink site was moved back to the already-approved Civic Center site.
Pleasanton officials tried unsuccessfully to seek a temporary lease on a 3-acre empty strip of land across Old Bernal Avenue from the library that is owned by the city of San Francisco.
The Pleasanton rink will be open from noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Admission ranges from $10-$16 and includes the price of skate rental. For more information, visit www.devconholidayiccerink.com.
Comments
Dublin
on Nov 23, 2009 at 9:44 am
on Nov 23, 2009 at 9:44 am
We had so much fun in downtown on Saturday night! We ate out at Fontina, great food! Took a walk up Main and saw horse-drawn carriages! We found out that we could catch the carriage at the Museum and took it to the ice rink to watch the young ones skate, then took the carriage back to the Museum. Thank you downtown Pleasanton for a wonderful evening!
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 23, 2009 at 10:01 am
on Nov 23, 2009 at 10:01 am
This has been an enjoyable event for most. I can't say this has been exactly joyful for library users.
They were never considered.
Downtown
on Nov 23, 2009 at 10:52 am
on Nov 23, 2009 at 10:52 am
Actually the library users were considered. The merchants and the city just determined that they were of little, if any, importance.
Pleasanton Meadows
on Nov 23, 2009 at 11:20 am
on Nov 23, 2009 at 11:20 am
Correction...The library patrons that would complain were less important than what it was thought to offer to the community at large including revenues going to help local schools.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 23, 2009 at 11:23 am
on Nov 23, 2009 at 11:23 am
Well, you have to expect the city to be practical, particularly in tough economic times. I imagine that in this case, it was indeed determined that the library users were not as important - the library does not generate income, only uses it. I think that for a temporary situation that may help the economy, the library users can bear with the inconvenience for the relatively short period of time the inconvenience will entail. You really can't please all of the people all of the time!
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 23, 2009 at 12:04 pm
on Nov 23, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Practical would have been placing this rink at the Sports Park. they have the space and the parking space needed.
Hopefully by next year the city will see the light.
I urge people to write the city and voice your concerns on the matter.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 23, 2009 at 1:26 pm
on Nov 23, 2009 at 1:26 pm
People need to QUIT saying to put it at the Sports Park. These holiday ice skating rinks are ment to be in downtown so people can shop, eat and skate. The Sports Park is no where near downtown. I you look at all the cities that have them, they are somewhere in their downtown. Maybe and just maybe the ownwers of the Round Table property will see the light and let them use it next year. They'd make a fortune in food sales.
Downtown
on Nov 23, 2009 at 1:40 pm
on Nov 23, 2009 at 1:40 pm
A store owner told me that the Domus people wanted it there but the city refused to change it. If that's true then someone should find out why they keep saying Domus would not allow it. That would have been the best choice.
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 23, 2009 at 1:53 pm
on Nov 23, 2009 at 1:53 pm
I agree - the Sports Park would NOT have been a good choice as it is not near any stores. You are missing the point of the ice rink - holiday fun that will also promote spending in the downtown area. I agree that the Round Table parking lot would have been even better - it IS downtown.
Dublin
on Nov 23, 2009 at 3:04 pm
on Nov 23, 2009 at 3:04 pm
There is a giant piece of land across the street from the library now open to the public to park in. Library users need to stop complaining. The ice rink actually opened up MORE parking.
Pleasanton Valley
on Nov 24, 2009 at 9:37 am
on Nov 24, 2009 at 9:37 am
Have you noticed that no matter what, people just complain. I applaud the city officials for bringing the ice rink into Pleasanton. Enjoy, it is not a permanent thing. Ride a bike or park and walk to the library. Go away Bah Hum Buggers!
Another Pleasanton neighborhood
on Nov 24, 2009 at 5:44 pm
on Nov 24, 2009 at 5:44 pm
I agree, a fun family outing.
I hope the city place it far from the library next year though. Even with the extra parking space in the empty lot across the street, it's not nearly enough.