City to Weigh Plan to Build Hockey Rink

The City Council may decide today whether to approve a contract with a private company to build a $250,000 roller hockey rink at Del Obispo Community Park.

Walnut-based Power Play Inc. has operated a city-sponsored roller hockey program for the past two years on a converted tennis court at the park. The new rink would be on a portion of the parking lot, about 400 feet from the nearest homes.

The covered hockey facility would have lights under the roof, a regulation-size court and sound walls to reduce noise. Construction would eliminate 45 parking spaces at the park, 30 of which would be replaced by street parking.

Bonnie Nicholl, Dana Point’s community services manager, said that without the rink the program, which started with 60 children in 1994, will be forced to turn youngsters away.

“We have 510 children in the program and more on a waiting list,” she said. “There’s a real need for it.”

Some residents have criticized the private company’s proposal, saying that the larger rink would cause noise, lighting, parking and other problems.

According to the proposed five-year contract, Power Play would be responsible for all construction expenses for the rink, as well as maintenance and repair of the facility.

For use of the park, Power Play would pay the city $2,000 per hockey session for the first three years of the agreement and $5,000 for the last two years of the contract. The program would operate four or five sessions annually.

If the council approves the contract, construction on the roller rink would start within 30 days, Nicholl said, and probably would be completed by late fall or early next year.

The council meets at 5:30 p.m. at 33282 Golden Lantern St., Suite 211. Information: (714) 248-9890.