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Hockey enthusiasts push for a rink
By: BRIAN ECKHOUSE - Staff Writer | ∞
Growing up in Northport, N.Y., Robert Blaskovich could get to the nearest hockey rink on Long Island's north shore in 10 minutes.
The commute's considerably longer to the closest ice rink from his new home in Murrieta: At least 45 minutes to Escondido, Riverside or Anaheim. There are no ice arenas in Southwest County. There are roller rinks at the Ronald Reagan Sports Park in Temecula and off Interstate 15 in Wildomar.
"It hampers some kids who have the talent and skill," said Blaskovich, 40, who is a financial consultant in Temecula. "What if they don't have the money to travel to Escondido, Corona and Anaheim?"
The Blaskovich family is fortunate; they have the means to travel.
Blaskovich is in a roller hockey league in San Diego County, as are his two young sons. He treks down to San Diego County at least five days a week for hockey, plus the occasional trip to Anaheim or Los Angeles for a tournament.
The miles are adding up for Blaskovich, and he's not alone.
The local demand is strong and mounting for an area rink, several Temecula and Murrieta skating and hockey enthusiasts said. Several local teams play in hockey leagues more than 20 miles outside Southwest County.
"Are we penalized because we want to live in an area that's up and coming with a good school system, that's centrally located?" Blaskovich asked.
Members of a new nonprofit organization, the Inland Valley Sports and Arena Commission, have hatched a plan to bring ice hockey and skating to Murrieta, said resident Robert Gibbons, the group's spokesman. Gibbons, 56, is the building and ice engineer for the Honda Center in Anaheim, home to the National Hockey League's Ducks.
Under a plan he pitched to Murrieta Deputy City Manager Jim Holston, Gibbons and a local group would raise $5.5 million to build four rinks on 100,000 square feet of space at Los Alamos Hills Sports Park. Two of the rinks would be for roller activities; there also would be two indoor ice rinks.
That plan would require Murrieta leaders to agree to a public-private partnership, which would be unprecedented in that city.
Murrieta leaders, including Mayor Doug McAllister, are aware there are no local rinks, but have yet to research whether the demand is as considerable as local skating and hockey enthusiasts insist, Holston said.
As of now, Gibbons' plan is one of 20 being considered for the second phase of the 80-acre Los Alamos Hills Sports Park.
"It's in the mix," Holston said.
Other options include a bike track, an equestrian center, and baseball and softball diamonds, Holston said. The park's first phase of about 40 acres opened last summer.
Murrieta officials are unlikely to finalize a master plan for the park's second phase until early next summer -- the same time Gibbons hopes to break ground on a rink there.
"It's incumbent on the Murrieta City Council to hear the visions of the people," Blaskovich said. "Temecula, Lake Elsinore, Fallbrook, I think all of the communities need to listen up."
The idea of a local arena has been pondered before -- in Temecula.
Murrieta City Manager Ron Bradley, who formerly held the same post in Temecula, said a developer in the mid-1990s tried to build a rink where The Promenade mall now stands, but the plan quickly fizzled.
"They didn't appear to be a viable company for the city," he said.
Unlike Murrieta, Temecula has pursued public-private partnerships. That city attempted to partner with an Orange County developer to build an education center on Diaz Road, but the deal recently collapsed.
In the coming months, Temecula officials likely will gauge resident interest in a 50-meter swimming pool and an arena for ice skating and hockey, Mayor Chuck Washington said. A half-dozen residents, he said, have campaigned to him for a local rink, prompting him to discuss the notion of a public-private arena with Assistant City Manager Bob Johnson.
"Our highest priority is still to do a higher ed center," Washington said.
But officials are likely to study the viability of a youth activity center that could include an ice skating rink and a retail component, he said.
Blaskovich insists the interest in a local hockey rink is high.
On March 23 -- the morning Chick's Sporting Goods opened on Murrieta Hot Springs Road -- Blaskovich asked an employee where the hockey equipment was located. Blaskovich said he was informed they didn't have any on-site.
"The guy then turned and said to someone else, 'Dude, we need to get hockey gear. That's the 13th person asking about gear this morning,'" Blaskovich recalled.
-- Contact staff writer Brian Eckhouse at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2626, or beckhouse@californian.com.
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Hockey Fan wrote on May 20, 2007 8:00 AM:If Temecula or Murrieta get a rink they will have to make sure the find someone who knows what they are doing. The Escondido Roller hockey rink is well managed and strive to be the best. This is one reason everyone from the Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, and Fallbrook drive that far to the rink. If The City of Temecula or Murrieta open a rink such as Bob Gibbons is suggesting, it will be packed seven days a week. They could pull teams from Corona and Riverside and keep the sport strong. The City of Escondido make a lot of money at their facility and the prices are very cheap considering how much non-City rinks have to charge a team or player in the rec. leagues. Good Luck Bob!
Murrieta Resident wrote on May 20, 2007 4:41 PM:A hockey rink in the Los Alamos Park. Absolutely not for several reasons. I do not deny there may be a need for this type of facility, but the location is 100% wrong for several reasons. Reason 1. This is a public park for all the citizens of Murrieta. A public-private joint venture with a for-profit ice rink facility is wrong. Yes the city is strapped for money to develop this phase of the park but lets not prostitute our public park just to get it developed. I'd rather wait untl the City of Murrieta can build something there comlpetely open to the public for all to enjoy. Something like the equestrian center open to all is a much better proposal and fit than this rink. Reason 2. I've been to the Escondido Facility and seen the traffic it creates. It is packed from the moment it opens until a half hour or so after it closes. The Sports Park is bordered on three sides by rural habitat open space land. The fourth side is a quiet residential area. This phase of the park is not anywhere near a commercial or retail center. This is the type of area an ice hockey rink belongs in due to the noise and constant high volume of traffic. If Temecula does not beat us to it, let's look at the Golden Triangle as a possible location. Makes much more sense than a quiet rural park setting. Reason 3. Private-public ventures put the city at far too much risk. If this ice hockey rink fails a few years down the road the city is stuck with a large building it now has to convert into another use. Lawsuits may tie up the buildings conversion and the city could also be on the hook financially. If this is such a big need in this city let the private sector put it on land they buy or lease and fund the project themselves. The market can then determine if this is a feasible facility. Do not use city funds unless the facility is completely public.
Bobby wrote on May 20, 2007 4:55 PM:The idea of hockey in this area is a solid one except that hockey is such a violent sport. The rink should only offer figure skating and synchronized ice dancing. Those hockey players and even their coaches have anger management issues and it is not good for our little ones to see all that violence. Hockey is nothing more than a game but these violent hooligans that currently play have too much influence over the behavior of our young!
JD wrote on May 21, 2007 12:31 AM:Oh Bobby... A violent sport? Maybe. But we shouldn't disallow it! You state that kids and coaches have anger management issues... go to ANY sport event for kids, and you'll find at least one athlete / coach / parent with an issue. Fact is, as far as using an ice rink, hockey is going to have the highest demand. Trying to open a figure skating / synchronized ice dancing arena will not have nearly enough support. I think it's time to loosen up a bit, and stop trying to shield our kids from every potentially negative thing in the world. It doesn't help them any.
Ti2ger wrote on May 22, 2007 8:57 AM:Yes, YES, YES we need a rink. Hockey isn't violent at the level our kids play at. We aren't talking professional teams here we are talking kids in FULL GEAR. Football can be violent, but I dont see you putting a stop to that.
Fox Family wrote on May 31, 2007 8:12 PM:Ice Skating rink in Murrieta would be nice. We have to drive our daughter to Icetown Riverside 3 times a week. We just hope there would be a program for Figure Ice Skating.
Brad wrote on Jun 9, 2007 7:18 AM:Yes on the ice rink! I think it is rediculus that we don't have one yet! The Stanley Cup champ Ducks are creating more and more interest. Youth hockey is not violent...I played from the time I was 5-18 in organized traveling leagues and I saw more fights and violent behavior on school property than on the ice rink. Equestrian center? There's a money maker! Are you kidding me? How many youth are running around on the streets begging to ride a hourse? Half this town already has their own land to ride their horses. There is much more potential for serious injury to a child riding a 1,000 pound horse than there is playing hockey. The bottom line is S.W. Riverside couty is severly lacking youth activities....this is perfect. I will do everything possible to help this cause.
dan wrote on Jun 14, 2007 4:35 PM:hello , i live in temecula and i am 39 years old and i travel to escondido to play hockey...i know for a fact that if this rink is built it would steal more than half of there business...they have ripped off players and skaters with there high league prices and bad service for what ya pay for ..... i know of 6 teams that will come over if this is done hands down and over thirty figure skaters.
dan wrote on Jun 14, 2007 4:41 PM:thats all we need is another horse stable......yes on the ice rink .give the kids something to do out of the heat......or what we see at the promenade every day is the future of our kids.......hhhhhhmmmmmmm
nick wrote on Jun 21, 2007 3:10 PM:Yes, for the hockey rinks. My roller and ice team would start playing there.
margaret wrote on Jul 27, 2007 11:22 AM:I for one would like to see this facility come to Murrieta..too long have we sat with our hands in our pockets and let others move forward. We are always trying to get and do better things for the youth...the time has come for our City to STEP-UP and realize what a great venue this would be for all ages...yes even the Seniors.this would be a great gift
Amanda wrote on Aug 29, 2007 2:37 AM:Comments on costs of "hockey gear" and it being categorized for the "wealthy" correct me if I'm wrong, but the last time I checked ALL sports gear is costly. If you really have faith that your child has the ability to succeed in whatever they do, then why put a price on them. I don't think the high school students in this area are too excited about starting an after-school program for horse-back-riding do you? This generation WANTS a contact sport!They NEED a place to go and be a part of to stay out of trouble! Schools develop programs that "students" elect, take a student vote and you'll get your answer!
Michelle wrote on Aug 30, 2007 10:08 PM:My daughter enjoys ice skating and my son likes ice hockey. A rink in Murrieta would be GREAT!!! And an ice rink is a great place to get out of the heat!!!
Gary in Murrieta wrote on Aug 30, 2007 10:38 PM:Twice a month my wife drives our daughter to either Riverside or Escondido so that she can take ice skating lessons. My daughter is only 8 years old and she has her own skates. My daughter just spent 6 weeks in the Philippines and she had her own private tutor for ice skating. An Ice skating rink in Murrieta or Temecula would be great!
Nikko wrote on Sep 3, 2007 3:12 AM:I live in Murrieta and have been playing hockey for 10 yrs and I think an Ice rink would be a positive thing for the city. Also, there are a lot of coaches & skaters around here who would deffinately bring good competition & business.
Inzslot wrote on Oct 12, 2007 5:03 AM:A Ice Skating rink will be a great benefit to the community. During the hot summers it will be a great place for the kids to find a cool place to enjoy. Hockey, Figure Skating and Public Skating all contribute to healthy athletic activities. Horses are beautiful and breed flies. It would be wonderful to see Ice Skating in Murrieta. The one in Escondido has a pool and a gym. I have been skating for 42 years and truely enjoy all the nice people I meet there. There is nothing violent about any of them Hockey or Figure Skating. In fact they are nicer than most of the people I encounter in parking lots! The Ice Skating community is a healthy group of citizens that offer many positive social values. Murriets needs a rink to allow that community to grow. You never know...you might like skating to someday!-
ANGELA wrote on Oct 18, 2007 7:18 AM:You all want to know something, a fact that matters, our youth in Temecula are constantly searching for something to do. They dont have to go home either, cuz their parents mostly commute to work in LA or San Diego, meaning the parents usually dont get home til well anywhere from 6 - 9 cause of traffic. Meanwhile, lil Suzie Q and lil boy blue are hitting a tobacco pipe they like to use for weed and other junk. So their lives are wasted after their brains are fried and they start trying other drugs and end up in and out of jail, due to the fact that they dont have many close facilities for teenagers and young adults to learn a skill or teach a skill or entertain them with a hobby and is or could become quite possibly A talent. We need more fun in our community!!!!
Michelle wrote on Dec 1, 2007 6:48 AM:What a fantastic idea! It's about time someone has wanted to build something oher than a retail store. We've been driving our 15yr old to hemet for the past 2 yrs, which isn't the greatest, just for an indoor rink! It just gets way to hot in the summer time to be playing hockey without air conditioning. Please, Please build a hockey rink for our children.
Justin Shaw wrote on Dec 20, 2007 8:32 AM:i agree getting a hockey rink would be a great hting for kids and wrestling is a very violent sport but we have 4 year olds going out on the mat and nobodies stopping that either
Cameron26 wrote on Apr 19, 2008 5:22 PM:An Ice rink would be awsome. I'm trying to get a petition around to give to the city of Temecula or Murrita. If we get people to invest or donate money then all they have to do is give us the land and we can play hockey.
Heather wrote on Oct 27, 2008 7:22 PM:YES TO THE ICE RINK!!!!!!!We are currently relocating to the Murrieta Area from Canada. There are Ice rinks all over Calgary here in Canada (45 rinks total with only 1,000,000 people in our city). Our son is in Skating lessons right now and will be old enough to start hockey next year. Having an ice rink in Temecula/Murrieta will be a major factor where we buy a house.
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