ICE! in Santa Monica

Every year, starting in early November, people from all over Santa Monica and Los Angeles flock to Downtown Santa Monica to enjoy the pleasure of ice skating. This gives people raised in the heat an experience that gives them a taste of what winter really is like outside of their small beach city. For a little over two months each winter, many people of all ages frequent the ice rink. As many kids know who have grown up going to the ice rink, people do not just go just to skate. Many go because as the season goes on, the ice rink becomes a rapidly growing social center. It is a hub of meeting for kids from elementary school to high school. It is like another promenade or pier, where people mingle with one another while also taking part in a communal, recreational activity. This year of the ice rink is a special one, however, because, upon its opening on November 3rd, it marked ICE at Santa Monica’s ten-year anniversary. The ice rink was actually born out of concern for the possible drop of tourism in Downtown Santa Monica in 2006, when the mall that is now the Santa Monica Place was closing down. City leaders feared that this construction would bring down tourism rates in the city, and looked for a ways to distract from the unappealing structure while still bringing people to Santa Monica. Kathleen Rawson, CEO of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., came up with the idea of the ice rink one night and it soon turned into a reality. Since its opening in 2006, the ice rink has remained the same in terms of size, but has made additions to the scene to increase the enjoyment of the rink-goers. Because the rink and its organizers are in a mode of celebration over its tenth anniversary, a new addition to this year includes every Thursday night being a “music-genre themed skate party,” with the night filled with skating to that night’s genre. ICE had its Grand Opening on November 10th followed by a “Grand Opening Birthday Party,” which lasted from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Skaters gathered around a large birthday cake (baked for 300 people) which was a replica cake of the ice rink. Before the rink opened that night, people watched a performance of some of California’s most elite ice-skaters. People also enjoyed many different activities such as a photo booth and t-shirt printing, as well as food from many different local vendors. The whole night was free of charge for all participants, who skated the night away. “Downtown Santa Monica takes pride in what it has,” manager Bart Barnett said. “The ice rink represents a good community feel that brings everyone together.” Barnett also mentioned how, in addition to the people from outside Santa Monica that have already been coming to the ice rink for years, the Metro (Blue Line) will have a big impact on the number of people that will be able to come to Santa Monica to enjoy the rink. He said that the ice rink is “friendly to everyone,” which is shown by the diversity of residents, tourists, and other out-of-Santa Monica skaters that go to the ice rink. “This is about everyone getting to enjoy something for the season, especially because people like us don’t get to ice very often,” Barnett said. Senior Marketing & Communication Manager Kevin Herrera mentioned how the ice rink really reinforces the community feeling in Santa Monica. “My favorite thing about ICE is just seeing all the smiles it brings to people’s faces. I know that may sound corny, but it’s so true,” Herrera said. “We at DTSM get so much joy out of watching people experience ICE, from little kids to seniors, everyone who skates just seems to really enjoy themselves. It’s pure joy! And because of that, ICE plays a critical role in helping make Downtown feel more like a real neighborhood. As I said before, ICE is a place where residents can gather, catch up with their family, friends and neighbors. It makes us realize just how small Santa Monica is and what a close-knit community we have.” Another aspect that makes the ice rink appealing to the public is that it is right in the center of Santa Monica’s tourism and commerce. Located at 5th and Arizona, the rink is a short walk from so many attractions. “ICE at Santa Monica is the only ICE rink in SoCal that allows people to skate all day for just $15. Most rinks charge a fee for a set number of hours, so you have to get off the ice and go home. At ICE you can come in the morning, skate for a few hours, then hit the pier, the beach, or the Third Street Promenade for lunch or shopping, and then head back to ICE and skate some more. Just as long as you keep your wristband on,” Herrera said. Sadness has fallen over some of Santa Monica because of rumors circulating that this year is the last year the ice rink would be in its location, due to upcoming construction. However, Herrera offered some information about the plans for the specific lot and the future of the rink. “The plan calls for a hotel, office space and low-income housing. But there are also plans to lay the infrastructure for ICE to continue in that location so ICE will not disappear. The community would never let that happen. Construction is still probably two years away so we have plenty of time to find a temporary location for ICE if, and when, the time comes,” he said. Something like that happening would be devastating for so many Santa Monica residents who have grown up with the rink as a vital part of their winter times. However, like Herrera said, there is a lot of time for people to enjoy the ice rink in its historic spot and make the most of its time there.  The Ice Rink will be open until January 16th, 2017.