A Place to Chill Out

For Westside residents tired of battling the summer heat, there is relief: the Culver City Ice Arena. It may not be Arctic Circle, but the ice is hard and the air is cold.

Rink manager Joe Setta says the temperature is kept at 55 degrees--ideal for those seeking to cool off.

“It’s hot outside,” said Morgan Brinson, 13, a Beverly Hills resident who stopped by the rink on a recent Saturday afternoon. “I wanted to get together with my friends and exercise.”

So lace up those skates and take some laps around the rink. The arena offers daily afternoon and evening sessions.

Skate rental is $1.75. Admission is $5.75 for adults and $4.75 for children.

The most popular sessions are Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons. During the summer months, however, attendance declines drastically. Absent from the arena are long lines and crowds, making the experience that much more enjoyable.

“My business drops off 44%,” said Setta, a former Ice Capades performer who has worked at the rink for more than a decade. “You would think everyone would come here but they go to the beach or barbecues.”

Culver City Ice Arena, 4545 S. Sepulveda Blvd. (310) 398-5718. Sessions are 12:30 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 1:30 to 5 p.m. and 8 to 10:30 p.m. weekends.