Congrats to the Los Angeles Kings and American Sports Entertainment Company (ASEC), who have been awarded the contract to operate an ice rink owned by the City of Santa Clarita.
The ice rink, located at 27745 Smyth Drive in Valencia, was purchased by the city in the Fall of 2020 for $14.2 million and is currently undergoing renovations on the roof, cooling system, lighting, sound, and internet. The hefty projects are expected to be completed this month with plans to open up to a limited capacity in the Spring. Many local residents may remember the rink as its former name, the Ice Station.
The former Santa Clarita staple featured three ice surfaces, an arcade, an exterior pond rink, broomball, and even boasted about bumper cars on ice at one point in time. “The Santa Clarita community has a great tradition of supporting hockey and all ice sports and today’s announcement is the next critical step to continue and expand upon that mission,” Kings President and Hockey Hall of Famer Luc Robitaille said.
According to Los Angeles Daily News, the city will gain about $288,000 in revenue in the current fiscal year, about $1,447,700 in 2021-2022 fiscal year and about $2 million each year during the five-year period.
The Kings and ASEC have a longstanding and good relationship with the communities that surround them. The entertainment company owns and operates multiple ice skating and indoor sports facilities, including the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo, used by the LA Kings as a training facility, and foot LA Kings Ice at Pickwick Garden in Burbank. And, their youth hockey program, guided directly by the LA Kings Player Development Department, teaches young hockey players the same skills, techniques, and concepts taught to Kings Players.
This is a big step for the future of the organization and team. Without the community, there would be game. The Kings have an opportunity to look and develop young players to help the league. But, most importantly, to help a community and bring an element of excitement to youth hockey players all over the Los Angeles area. “ASEC and the LA Kings are committed to playing a key role in the next chapter of growing the game of hockey in particular, as well as inspiring the next generation of athletes in our community.”
