The City of Escondido and The Rinks Foundation announced on May 28 their intent to bring a Memorandum of Understanding to the Escondido City Council to explore the feasibility of developing a community ice facility at Kit Carson Park. The proposed complex would be fully funded and constructed by The Rinks Foundation, a nonprofit organization that operates eight hockey and skating facilities in Southern California.
The planned facility would include three sheets of ice, with one rink featuring seating for 2,000 to 3,000 spectators, as well as a restaurant, training spaces, and competition facilities. Activities at the site would range from youth and adult hockey programs to figure skating, sled hockey, curling, broomball, public recreational skating, and other community events. It is also expected to serve as a practice location for the San Diego Gulls American Hockey League team and provide space for local high school teams.
Sean McGlynn, Escondido’s City Manager, said: “We’re incredibly honored to have been approached by The Rinks Foundation to explore this partnership. When Ice Plex Escondido closed, we lost an incredible community asset as it was the largest ice skating facility in the County. We look forward to exploring the opportunity to not only bring ice sports back to Escondido but to expand access to ice sheets for the entire southern California region.”
Aaron Teats, President of The Rinks Foundation, said: “On behalf of the Rinks Foundation and the San Diego Gulls, we are excited by the possibilities to provide a state-of-the-art ice skating and hockey facility in Escondido to meet the growing demands of ice participation in the region. This facility would assist in the growing needs for youth, high school, adult hockey and skating in San Diego, and north county in particular, and provide a community asset for a million visitors annually.”
If approved by City Council at its June 3 meeting, two community meetings will be held jointly by Escondido officials and The Rinks Foundation for public input on the proposal; an online engagement option will also be available. At this time, due diligence will be conducted alongside additional feedback gathering regarding park facilities citywide.
The proposal emphasizes expanding access primarily for public use while supporting local economic activity through year-round programming including inclusive options such as learn-to-skate instruction or adaptive sports programs. Results from these efforts will be presented at a future council hearing before any further action is taken.
