By Ali Yenchick
It all began as a dream in 1997, with the development approval of the Camino Real Marketplace. The plan included a proposed public ice rink because of the overwhelming community support, demonstrated by a petition containing thousands of signatures from Goleta, California, residents.
In 2003, the Greater Santa Barbara Ice Skating Association (GSBISA) was established to raise funds for a capital campaign. The non-profit aimed to construct and operate an affordable, public ice skating facility for the enjoyment of the community’s youth, adults, and families.
The rink broke ground in 2014, and a year later, celebrated its grand opening, signifying the return of organized skating and hockey to the region after a generation without local ice following closures of earlier facilities.
From the outset, Ice in Paradise operated with two sheets—the main NHL‑size rink and a studio sheet—supporting everything from first lessons to figure skating practice and hockey games under one roof.
Milestones on the Ice
Ice in Paradise’s early months saw university hockey return to a true home rink, with UCSB and local programs playing in front of hometown supporters for the first time in years, a moment that signaled how quickly the venue became essential to the area’s sports culture.
Just a year post-opening in 2016, the rink was featured on the cover of RINK magazine, and the Santa Barbara Royals youth hockey team won the L.A. Kings High School Hockey League championship in their first year.
But it doesn’t stop there– The Royals won again in 2017, plus, the U.S. Men’s Sled Hockey Team practiced at the rink in preparation for international competitions.
In 2018, the Santa Barbara Ice Hawks (16U co‑ed club) won the state championship, and in 2019, local figure skaters from the rink area qualified and attended the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
Following the COVID-19 shutdown, the rink hosted the U.S. Women’s Sled Hockey Team and leveled up their technology with live-streaming capabilities.
A Home for Everyone on the Ice
The facility quickly became a hub for families, students, and athletes, anchoring a vibrant schedule of public sessions, lessons, and leagues that brought the community together one glide at a time.
As General Manager Breanne Bonilla put it, the heart of Ice in Paradise was always family and access: “We were excited to invite our community members here to see all that Ice in Paradise had to offer. From learning to skate to playing broomball, we had opportunities for every age and ability. The best part was that you could participate in many of our programs as a family.”
Public sessions, teen and college nights, coffee club for adults, and learn‑to‑skate pathways filled the weekly calendar and ensured that newcomers and veterans alike found a place on the ice.
Instruction and progression flourished for figure skaters and hockey players, while a steady rhythm of drop-in and league play sustained the broader hockey community.
Signature Programs and Traditions
Beyond daily sessions, the rink hosted its own tournaments, like the ISI Paradise Open, further establishing the rink as a regional stage for developing athletes. Seasonal showcases, including holiday ice shows, highlighted local talent and filled stands with proud families and neighbors.
Ice in Paradise sustained signature experiences that became annual touchstones for local families and fans. “Another Day in Paradise” evolved into a community festival, inviting people to try skating, hockey, broomball, and more, and turning curiosity into confidence and participation year after year.
“Programs like Another Day in Paradise let people dip a toe in and realize, ‘Hey, I belong here,’” said Bonilla. “Watching a hesitant first‑timer leave the ice grinning—and come back the next week with a friend—that’s the magic that keeps our community growing.”
It also extended learning beyond athletics with a STEM field trip program that combined classroom content, facility tours, and on-ice lessons, making the rink a destination for schools across the region.
The Spirit That Carried a Decade
From first wobbly steps in rental skates to tournament medals, from weeknight practices to holiday shows, the rink has assuredly paid off for the people of Santa Barbara County. For them, it’s more than a place to skate– It’s an integral part of the community’s culture and daily life.
“Ten years in, what makes me proudest isn’t the trophies—it’s the everyday moments,” Walsh said. “Parents lacing skates beside their kids, college students unwinding after class, neighbors cheering for each other. Ice in Paradise is where those moments meet, and we can’t wait to welcome the next generation onto the ice.”
