DANA POINT : Study Due on Roller Hockey Rink Plan

The City Council has approved conducting an environmental review of a proposed roller hockey rink, despite protests from residents of an area near the rink site.

Under the plan, Power Play, which runs the city’s popular youth roller hockey program, would construct a regulation-sized hockey rink at the rear of Del Obispo Park, along with sports lights, parking and bleachers.

The rink would be able to accommodate a league of about 600 roller hockey players, and would be fully funded by Power Play at no cost to the city, said Bonnie Nicholl, community services manager.

About 10 people who live near the back of the park opposed the plan at Tuesday’s council meeting, saying the rink will bring unwanted noise, lighting, traffic and crime to their neighborhoods.

“Why are you doing this at the expense of surrounding neighbors, when 55% of participants don’t even live in Dana Point?” resident Linda Corlett asked the council.

About 400 children aged 14 or under now participate in the program, Nicholl said.

Since the roller hockey program began last August, teams have had to play on a small, non-regulation-size tennis court at the north end of Del Obispo Park.

To minimize the impact of lighting and noise on the surrounding area, Power Play has discussed the option of building an enclosed rink.

“There is a need in this town for more youth facilities,” Councilman Harold Kaufman said. “I think this program is worth the environmental study.”

The council stressed that the environmental review is separate from actual approval of the proposed project. The city will hold a public workshop on the issue within the next few months, Nicholl said.

After that, the issue will come back to the Planning Commission, which will make a recommendation to the council on whether to approve the project.