Bring back ice rinks and coaches

In rezoning the Belmont Iceland parcel to housing, the City of Belmont shot itself in the foot. For decades residents and City leaders have dreamed of revitalizing downtown Belmont – the blocks surrounding the Caltrain station, optimistically called “Belmont Village” – to create an area with ambiance, vitality, and venues to attract patrons from the wider region. The Ice Rink could be that venue, if City leaders have some vision. Belmont already lacks jobs, retail and commercial services (with a jobs: housing ratio of 0.6), and the new Village Specific Plan exacerbates that deficiency by reducing commercial zoning. Plus, Belmont already lacks playing fields for youth sports, and there are few recreation alternatives for the growing student population. Instead of selling out to housing, the City could form a public-private partnership to develop the rink into a world-class mixed-use venue, a-la Rockefeller center. An expanded rink could host state competitions. The venue could include casual dining rink-side, fine dining in an atrium overlooking the rink, party-rooms for corporate and private parties, a health club, and a boutique for related sporting goods. Upper floors could be a hotel, convenient for business travelers and skaters. Just across the street is the Caltrain station and the “Village” to offer more dining and shopping alternatives to visitors, all in walking distance. This could be Belmont’s golden opportunity to put itself on the map as an elite recreation destination, and thus secure the retail vitality it has long dreamed of. I hope it’s not too late.

In rezoning the Belmont Iceland parcel to housing, the City of Belmont shot itself in the foot. For decades residents and City leaders have dreamed of revitalizing downtown Belmont – the blocks surrounding the Caltrain station, optimistically called “Belmont Village” – to create an area with ambiance, vitality, and venues to attract patrons from the wider region. The Ice Rink could be that venue, if City leaders have some vision. Belmont already lacks jobs, retail and commercial services (with a jobs: housing ratio of 0.6), and the new Village Specific Plan exacerbates that deficiency by reducing commercial zoning. Plus, Belmont already lacks playing fields for youth sports, and there are few recreation alternatives for the growing student population. Instead of selling out to housing, the City could form a public-private partnership to develop the rink into a world-class mixed-use venue, a-la Rockefeller center. An expanded rink could host state competitions. The venue could include casual dining rink-side, fine dining in an atrium overlooking the rink, party-rooms for corporate and private parties, a health club, and a boutique for related sporting goods. Upper floors could be a hotel, convenient for business travelers and skaters. Just across the street is the Caltrain station and the “Village” to offer more dining and shopping alternatives to visitors, all in walking distance. This could be Belmont’s golden opportunity to put itself on the map as an elite recreation destination, and thus secure the retail vitality it has long dreamed of. I hope it’s not too late.

Ice Rinks should not close. We need more ice rinks on the Peninsula not less. Athletic Fields outnumber ice rinks 5 to 1. Not everyone enjoys basketball and football. Peninsula Ice Rinks are responsible for Kristi Yamaguchi, Brian Boitano and many others. This past Olympics featured Karen Chen, Vincent Zhou, Nathan Chen. New developments should include ice rinks rarher than exclude them.

Neighbors, not only did I grow up in the San Carlos Belmont area having graduated from Carlmont high school and much of my college at CSM.

I grew up at Belmont Iceland!

The day it closed part of my soul closed with it.
The relationships I made at Belmont Iceland had a lasting effect and to this day I'm still great friends with many that I grew up with playing hockey there. As one of my 1st jobs I made relationships that lead to other jobs that helped me immensely in my career choice as an airline pilot.
Ice rinks are unique communities that give kids the opportunity to network with other friends and their parents much the way business men do business on the golf course. There aren't enough places for kids to go now on the peninsula! There is a dire need for more ice for our figure skaters, hockey players, speedskaters, curlers, And for the coaches and employees of the rink who spread their knowledge and donate their time to the young who are intrested In skating. The young who are inspired by the many who have excelled in those sports from our area and beyond.
Yes there are 2 rinks on the peninsula and I applaud their management for keeping them open but there is need for more!!
The city of Belmont I believe has an obligation to maintain their heritage as a city that promotes iceskating.

Thanks for you time and go Sharks

Belmont should have a seasonal ice rink to accommodate the loss of the Belmont Iceland Ice Rink. We need more ice on the Peninsula not less.

I applaud the author of this op-ed for advocating for skating rinks in our community. In order to give children and adults the opportunity to achieve their goals and interests, our city needs to make a sincere effort to provide the proper facilities for all residents.