About the Project

A Community Ice Facility
Built for Escondido.

Three sheets of ice. Zero taxpayer dollars. A proven operator. A proposal that brings back what Escondido lost — and adds what it never had.

What's being proposed

The Rinks Foundation has proposed constructing a three-sheet community ice facility at Kit Carson Regional Park in Escondido. The facility would be privately funded, privately built, and privately operated — at no cost to the City of Escondido or its taxpayers.

On June 3, 2026, the Escondido City Council unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to begin formal feasibility review. The project now moves into community engagement and environmental review.

City Council vote: Unanimous MOU approval — June 3, 2026
Funding: 100% private — The Rinks Foundation
City contribution: Land at Kit Carson Regional Park only
Softball relocation: $4M Foundation contribution to Francis Ryan Park
Escondido Ice community benefits overview

What will be built

3
Sheets of Ice

Full NHL-regulation sheets for hockey, figure skating, public skating, and community events.

2–3K
Spectator Seats

One primary sheet with 2,000–3,000 spectator capacity for tournaments, games, and events.

$0
Taxpayer Cost

Entirely privately funded and operated. Escondido provides the land; The Foundation provides everything else.

Facility Features

  • Three regulation ice sheets
  • 2,000–3,000 seat spectator arena
  • On-site restaurant
  • Training facilities and locker rooms
  • Competition-grade timing and scoring systems
  • Pro shop and rental equipment
  • Freeway access proximity and ample parking

Facility Tenants & Partners

  • San Diego Gulls (AHL) — Primary practice facility
  • San Diego Jr. Gulls — 150+ youth players, 40+ year legacy
  • San Diego Jr. Gulls Girls — Six teams, 8-U to 19-U
  • Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League — 55 teams, 6 SD county teams
  • Public Skating — Open to all ages and abilities
  • Figure Skating — Competitive and recreational programs

See what's planned

Architectural renderings and site plans showing the proposed Escondido Ice facility at Kit Carson Regional Park.

Escondido Ice facility exterior rendering — primary entrance view Escondido Ice facility exterior rendering — side elevation view
Escondido Ice facility exterior elevation architectural drawing Escondido Ice facility interior rendering — main ice sheet with spectator seating Escondido Ice facility site location and conceptual plan — overview
Escondido Ice facility site conceptual plan — detailed layout

The Rinks Foundation

Founded in 2009 by philanthropists Henry and Susan Samueli — owners of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks and AHL's San Diego Gulls — The Rinks Foundation is Southern California's premier community ice operator.

With eight facilities across the region and a mission of expanding ice sports access for all ages and abilities, The Rinks Foundation has a proven track record of delivering on exactly what they're proposing for Escondido.

8
SoCal facilities operated
2009
Year founded
1M+
Annual participants at Great Park Ice
4,000+
Learn to Skate enrollees (Great Park)

Current Facilities:

  • The Rinks – Anaheim ICE
  • The Rinks – Poway ICE
  • Great Park Ice & FivePoint Arena (Irvine) — $115M, 280,000 sq ft
  • The Rinks – KHS ICE, Lakewood ICE, Yorba Linda ICE
  • The Rinks – Corona Inline & Irvine Inline
Great Park Ice in Irvine — The Rinks Foundation's flagship facility serving 1M+ participants annually, the model for Escondido Ice

Great Park Ice, Irvine — The Rinks Foundation's proven model

How we get there

MOU Approved — June 3, 2026 ✓

Escondido City Council unanimously voted to approve a Memorandum of Understanding, formally authorising The Rinks Foundation to begin feasibility review and community engagement with the City.

Community Engagement — Now

Active community outreach, public meetings, and feedback collection. This is your moment to show the council that Escondido families want this facility.

Lease Agreement — Summer 2026

City Council votes on a formal long-term lease agreement between the City of Escondido and The Rinks Foundation.

Environmental Review (CEQA) — 12–18 Months

Full California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review, including traffic studies, environmental impact analysis, and public comment periods — following all required city procedures.

Final Approval — Late 2027 / Early 2028

Following completion of CEQA and public comment, the City Council grants final project approval. All conditions from environmental review are incorporated into the construction plans.

Construction Begins — Est. 2028–2030

Following all approvals, The Rinks Foundation funds and constructs the facility, creating 150 construction jobs and $12.3 million in wages for the local economy.

Escondido Ice Opens

Escondido families finally have a world-class ice facility at home. Youth programs, public skating, tournaments, and community events begin — generating $10.9M in annual economic output for the city.

Ready to show your support?

Community support right now is the most powerful signal the council can receive during the engagement phase.

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