Park Commission Rejects Plan for Ice Rink at Vacant City Site

Glendale parks commissioners have unanimously rejected a proposal to build a center for competitive ice skating on undeveloped city land near the Glendale Freeway, but the plan’s author has vowed to take the idea to the City Council.

The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission last week voted 5 to 0 against the proposed facility, which would occupy up to five acres in one of the city’s four “freeway parks” in the San Rafael Hills off Fern Lane.

Commissioners said the plan for at least one rink, a stadium with up to 5,000 seats, a child-care center and a cafeteria, would take up too much open space.

It also would conflict with the city’s master plan, which three years ago designated the site for picnic and barbecue activities, they said.

“I don’t think the idea is the right one for a beautiful space that should be left open,” said Commissioner Jose Contreras, who recommended that another location in Glendale be found for the center.

After the vote, Marilyne Wiechmann, the former city parking commissioner who proposed the center, said she will take her idea to the City Council, which may be more receptive.

The commission’s recommendation usually is sought but not required before such a proposal goes before the council.

Wiechmann’s plan is supported by the California Amateur Hockey Assn., the Los Angeles Figure-Skating Club and other regional skating and hockey groups experienced in organizing competitive events.

“They’re not interested in children’s sports, as far as I’m concerned,” said Wiechmann, a former competitive amateur skater. “This can be a successful operation, and it’s a perfect use for that property.”

Organizers need the city-owned parkland for the proposed center because they cannot afford to purchase private land, she said.

Under her proposal, the city would lease the undeveloped land for free to a nonprofit group, which would oversee the rink and include representatives from regional hockey and skating organizations. The city would take out a loan to develop the facility and the group would pay it back with revenues and donations, Wiechmann said.

Estimated construction costs range from $2 million for a single rink to $15 million for two rinks and a multiuse stadium, she said.

Residents of Fern Lane, the only street leading in or out of the proposed site, have opposed the idea, saying they fear increased traffic and noise in their neighborhood.

The city already has planned to develop two open-play areas, three soccer and two baseball fields, and picnic and barbecue facilities at the park sites, which include 77 of 392 acres acquired by the city from the state Department of Transportation after the Glendale Freeway was completed in the late 1970s.