Sacramento approves loans to renovate ice rink ravaged by arson more than a decade ago
The Sacramento City Council on Tuesday approved $1.35 million in loans to complete restoration of an ice rink in the Woodlake neighborhood that was ravaged by an arson fire 13 years ago.
The Iceland Ice Skating Rink at 1430 Del Paso Blvd. operated continuously from Nov. 4, 1940, to March 28, 2010, when a five-alarm fire significantly damaged the property.
What remained immediately after the fire were the white walls of the old skating rink building, along with pieces of the foundation surrounding the surviving oval rink. The building’s wooden roof was gone, as were the Art Deco block windows.
Hundreds of volunteers helped repair the skating rink facility, which reopened several months after the fire and has continued to operate since then as an outdoor venue on a seasonal basis without a roof.
With a 9-0 vote on Tuesday night, the City Council approved a $1.23 million forgivable loan agreement with Sacramento Iceland to purchase and install a prefabricated metal roof so that skating rink can operate year-round. Sacramento Iceland is a non-profit that operates the ice rink under a 20-year lease agreement with the property owner, American Iceland, LLC.
The council also unanimously approved a $125,000 loan to complete restoration of Iceland’s Art Deco facade. The loan is subject to annual repayment.
Amanda Wallace, a development project manager with the city, said the skating rink is a Del Paso Boulevard landmark that has served North Sacramento and its youth for more than 80 years. She told the City Council the loans will beautify Del Paso Boulevard, enable Iceland to serve more residents and contribute to the commercial corridor’s revitalization.
“I think we can all agree that Iceland is unique and special to Del Paso Boulevard and certainly a community asset, though currently an under-utilized one,” Wallace told the council. “Revitalization of this critical North Sacramento landmark presents a great opportunity to activate the boulevard, and it’s something the community has long awaited.”
She said the city will forgive the $1.23 million loan if Iceland Ice Skating Rink meets annual performing metrics, including maintaining the property in a clean and safe condition, operating the skating rink for a minimum of 2,000 hours, serving at least 30,000 skaters and providing for at least 250 skate school scholarships to District 2 residents.
The new roof structure will allow Iceland to operate year-round and attract about 50,000 skaters annually who will have a chance to visit other businesses along the corridor, Wallace said.
On Wednesday, Iceland Executive Director Terrie Kerth thanked volunteers for their hard work and those who offered financial support over the past decade.
“Feeling ecstatic! Exuberant! Relieved! And so very deeply grateful for all of you,” Kerth wrote in a Facebook post. “After 13 years of dedication to our community treasure, beloved Iceland will return to year-round skating and serving Sacramento in 2024!”
This story was originally published November 17, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
