Oxnard Panel Approves Plan for 2 Ice Rinks

A developer has received the go-ahead to build western Ventura County’s first two ice skating rinks, which are to open this winter.

The Oxnard Planning Commission on Thursday approved a request by VSC Sports to develop the rinks in the 80,000-square-foot building formerly occupied by Builder’s Square at the aging Wagon Wheel Shopping Center. The facilities are expected to open in December.

“We like [it] because it’s a family oriented business and it will also revitalize that mall,” said Joyce Parker-Bozylinski, Oxnard planning manager.

The rinks will be used for hockey leagues, figure skating and public skating sessions. Currently, the closest ice skating rink is in Simi Valley.

“We’re looking at a market of over 300,000 people,” said company President Michael Paikin, adding that it should not compete directly with the Simi Valley rink.

Ice hockey’s burgeoning appeal means it can no longer be considered a cold-weather sport, Paikin said, pointing to the success of the Los Angeles Kings and the recent massive National Hockey League television contract signed by ABC. Moreover, the game has been increasing in popularity among people of all ages and both sexes, he said.

Almost 1,000 youths play ice hockey in Simi Valley, said Camarillo resident George Wilk, a head coach with the Simi Valley Thunder, which operates several teams at different age levels.

Wilk added that the popularity of roller hockey is also propelling interest in the ice version, with a 10% to 15% annual increase in the number of youths showing up to play in Simi Valley. He welcomed additional rinks, noting he has several players from as far away as Santa Barbara.

“It’s just going to get more kids involved and that’s what we’re trying to do. . . . In Santa Barbara, Ventura and Oxnard there’s plenty of kids who want to play ice hockey, but they don’t want to drive to Simi,” he said.

The rinks in Oxnard will be 85 feet by 185 feet, slightly smaller than the NHL regulation 85 feet by 200 feet. The building will also include space for locker rooms, a pro shop, a snack bar, a fitness center and a video arcade, Paikin said.

Oxnard police have also been offered space for a storefront operation. VSC Sports operates similar facilities in Pasadena and downtown San Francisco and has another under construction in Vacaville, Paikin said.

In 1995, the company broke ground at a 6.5-acre site on Maulhardt Avenue for a $5-million skating complex, but the project was never built because of a lack of financing. This time, the company has the money, Paikin said.