Following the closure of the Culver Ice Arena in Culver City in 2014, a 52-year old community resource of the Greater Los Angeles area, a core group of rink/ice skating supporters have continued with efforts to make sure another ice arena is built on the Westside of Los Angeles.
This committee is called Bring Back The Ice and spearheaded by Dr. Steve Weinberg. Dr. Weinberg has launched a petition to support this project. A rendering of this project can be viewed online at www.ipetitions.com/petition/bring-ice-and-field-sports-complex-to-santa-monica.
"After several exploratory measures that have fallen by the wayside, we believe we have a real chance to bring the powers-that-be together and build an ice and field complex on the property where the Santa Monica Civic stands," said Weinberg, who encourages the Los Angeles skating community and AYSO soccer leagues to sign the petition.
Weinberg explains that adding a soccer field on top of the ice arena facility is in consideration of the large number of local soccer leagues who were promised a new athletic field at this location for over ten years by the City of Santa Monica.
Bring Back The Ice has engaged the soccer community by involving the Chair of the Santa Monica Field Sports Advisory Council, Maryanne LaGuardia.
"A new facility would be a monumental opportunity to give the soccer community an amazing destination right in the heart of Santa Monica," said LaGuardia.
"We understand the soccer community's needs and want to join forces with them to create a fantastic gathering place for skaters, soccer players and the Santa Monica community, while at the same time helping to revitalize the Civic Auditorium in order to create a unique performing arts/cultural district in line with the Working Group's vision for the property for generations to come," said Weinberg.
"This project is a once in a life-time opportunity. I encourage anyone who wants to bring back the ice to Los Angeles Westside to sign the petition," Weinberg said. "Please let the City of Santa Monica know how important this project is to the future of skating in Southern California."
The deadline to submit the petition to the Santa Monica City Council is November 8. For more information about the project or the petition, follow on the Bring Back The Ice Facebook Page, Twitter: @BringBackTheIce or call Dr. Weinberg at (310) 963-5898 .
- Submitted by Barbara Pomykalski, Bring Back The Ice Committee
