Community Need: An Ice Skating Rink will serve a unique need in the community in a way no other facility is now or could in the future. Santa Barbara County has a diverse community with a large number of youth, college students, and families. Studies show that the area is deficient in recreational activities and facilities. As a result, the children, young adults, college students, and families in the greater Santa Barbara community have limited affordable options for daily, evening, and weekend activities that promote positive wholesome values and reduce the potential for involvement in illegal or inappropriate activities that are detrimental to themselves and to the community. The rink will serve this need in a unique way, rain or shine, day and night.

We have the support of our community and its leaders. There is a very strong following of skating and hockey enthusiasts in our community. There is an active roller-hockey program for both adults and kids involving hundreds of people. Nearly all participants are former or current ice hockey players who are absolutely thrilled with the prospect of the GSBISA Ice Facility. Many of these players are so devoted to skating on ice, they “commute” to the Oxnard ice rink facility. The leaders of the roller programs all agree that participation would be multiplied many times over in a real Ice Rink.

Ice Rink Location: In 1997, the Camino Real Marketplace received governmental approval including approval for development of a 44,000-sq. ft. ice rink next to Girsh Park. The developer, Wynmark Co., has already installed infrastructure improvements including mains, site grading, utility services and a parking lot. Additionally, GSBISA has received from Wynmark Co. a charitable gift of the land which is valued at $1.33 million. In 2002, GSBISA hired the services of Canlan Ice Sports to complete a feasibility study. Their conclusion was that a single ice sheet facility was viable as a non-profit entity. As a result, local prominent architect, David Van Hoy, provided his services pro-bono and completed a conceptual design for the project. Preliminary design work is poised to begin as soon as sufficient donations are received. Santa Barbara Ice Skating Rink