ANAHEIM : Planning Panel OKs Proposal for Rink

A joint proposal by the city and the Walt Disney Co. to build a community ice rink in the downtown area glided through the Planning Commission last week.

The commission voted 6 to 0 to approve the project, which still requires approval from the City Council.

The council may decide upon the proposed ice rink, which would serve both as practice site for the Mighty Ducks hockey team and a community youth center, as early as next month, city officials say.

The 100,000-square-foot facility would be built on three acres at the southwest corner of Lincoln Avenue and Clementine Street.

If the project receives council approval in August, the rink may open in September, 1995, Disney officials said.

The proposed facility would house two ice rinks, one Olympic size and the other National Hockey League size. The Olympic rink would seat 300 spectators, while the NHL rink would hold up to 1,000.

Disney officials said there would be about 12,800 hours of ice time available to the public each year.

The Ducks would use the rink only about 200 hours per year, Disney officials said at last week’s commission hearing.

The Ducks now practice at the Glacial Garden Ice Arena in Anaheim.

The proposed rink also would be used by Disney’s new nonprofit program called GOALS--Growth Opportunities Through Athletics, Learning and Service.

Modeled after a highly touted New York program named Ice Hockey in Harlem, the charitable organization’s aim is to teach underprivileged children positive values.

The proposed facility also would include a retail pro shop, meeting rooms, an amusement arcade and a restaurant.