Escondido moves forward on ice rink proposal
City approves agreement to explore proposed Ducks/Gulls‑backed facility, launching study of costs, impacts and community benefits
ESCONDIDO — The City Council approved a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to authorize city staff and The Rinks Foundation to negotiate a proposed ice rink complex.
The MOU includes a long-term ground lease and an evaluation of financial, environmental, and community impacts at the proposed site at Kit Carson Park, according to the staff report. Councilman Christian Garcia said the approval of the MOU does not commit the city to cover the construction costs or operation of the project, and just allows the foundation to begin the process moving forward with an application, environmental studies, design and other elements.
The Rinks Foundation, a nonprofit affiliated with the owners of the Anaheim Ducks and San Diego Gulls, Henry and Susan Samueli, has proposed constructing and operating a three-sheet ice facility on roughly 14 acres. Plans call for three rinks, spectator seating, and space for hockey, figure skating and public skating programs at a 140,000-square-foot facility. The complex would also serve as a practice site for the American Hockey League’s San Diego Gulls and home to the San Diego Jr. Gulls and Jr. Gull Girls teams.
Additionally, the foundation is pledging $4 million toward relocating the softball fields to another park, likely Ryan Park, according to Adam Rush, director of Communications for the San Diego Gulls.
“This is a potentially really big opportunity for the city,” Garcia explained. “I think there are a lot of concerns that need to be addressed, but there is a huge community benefit that could come from moving forward with this project.”
The city and foundation will host two in-person community meetings and an online meeting at a later date to gather feedback from residents. The news of the proposal spread rapidly last week, with many residents in support or cautiously optimistic.
