Ice-Skating Facility a Three-Rink Circus

Santa Clarita Valley’s first ice-skating facility will open Saturday for public sessions and lessons.

Ice Station Valencia has an Olympic-size figure skating rink, a regulation National Hockey League-size rink and a 600-square-foot studio rink for private lessons. The two-story, $12-million facility includes a restaurant, a banquet room and sophisticated sound and lighting systems.

Natural light also illuminates the 93,000-square-foot building.

“Usually, ice-skating rinks are cold, dark and humid. We’ve put in a state-of-the-art dehumidification and refrigeration equipment that should provide the public with a comfortable atmosphere,” owner Roger Perez said.

The facility offers skating lessons starting at age 2 in addition to an array of hockey teams, including a traveling hockey team called the Valencia Express. An in-house youth hockey program begins Sunday, and an adult hockey program starts Sept. 23.

There will also be clubs for figure and speed skaters, a broom ball league and programs for parents and kids together. The facility is across the street from Valencia High School, so Perez said he hopes to also establish a high school hockey program with area schools.

Initially, the facility will be open daily from 5 a.m. until 1 or 2 a.m. to accommodate figure skaters, pick-up hockey games or those interested in private rentals. As demand grows, Perez said, he intends to keep the facility open 24 hours a day.

Public skating sessions will be offered from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 5 p.m. weekdays, in addition to a Wednesday evening session from 7 to 9:15 p.m.

There will be 7:30-to-9:45 p.m. sessions on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and 10 p.m.-to-midnight sessions on Fridays and Saturdays. Weekend afternoon sessions will be 1 to 4:15 p.m. Saturdays and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sundays.

Public session admission is $8. Skate rental is $2.50.