Oakland Ice Center: Winter all year long
There’s no snow in California, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any ice. Oakland Ice Center in downtown Oakland contains both a National Hockey League-size rink and an Olympic size rink. Operated by Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment, the Center has been around since 1995 and holds the largest number of Adult USA Hockey participants compared to any other skating facility in the country.
Chances are, you’re not scouting around for a hockey league, but you’re probably on the look-out for a decent year-round skating venue. When Berkeley’s Iceland closed down in 2007, East Bay supporters of the Berkeley rink lost a local institution with a lot of memories. The community worked hard to keep Iceland open, forming a nonprofit organization to raise funds for a venue that once accommodated Olympic gold medalists and generations of ice-skating families.
When Berkeley Iceland closed down, Oakland Ice Center became the closest rink to its former vicinity, but if you asked around, you’d find that a lot of people don’t even realize it’s there. Located on a one-way side street, you might not have occasion to drive by and “discover” it on your own.
Those who’ve gotten wind of the Oakland Ice Center enjoy public skating every day of the week, including matinee prices, “cheap skating” on Tuesday evenings, and Family Skate Days on Sundays.
Figure-skating teams and clinics have found a home at the center, and those who wish they could skate like the pros can enroll in both public or private lessons from experienced instructors hand-picked by Sharks Ice. Residents and visitors of Berkeley, Oakland, Alameda and surrounding areas shouldn't have to drive south to Dublin Iceland or cross the bridge to Yerba Buena in San Francisco to get their skate on. And local parents are already forming new generations of ice-skaters, planning low-key birthday parties for their kids – rinkside.
Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Additional hours are from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. Friday; Saturday 1 to 5:15 and 7:15 to 9:15 p.m.; and Sunday 1 to 5:15 p.m. Hours are subject to change.
HelloMetro Tip: The snack bar serves pizza, hot dogs and nachos, along with nuts, fruits, chips, and candy. Pickier eaters may want to come before or after lunch as the nachos aren’t the cheesiest you’ll find out there.
Posted by Renee Rutledge
