THE LEGACY LOOKBACK
It started as a dream, but it became a reality, starting from 2015 to 2025, take a look back at our 10 year history. Keep scrolling to see some pictures and learn more about Ice in Paradise's beginning and the journey that has taken us to today.
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LOOK BACK THROUGH THE YEARS
October 10, 2015 - Today
We are all familiar with the Ice in Paradise of today, but have you wondered how we got here? Keep scrolling to see the very beginning, do you remember any of these events?
1997
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The Dream
In 1997, the development of the Camino Real Marketplace was approved, along with the development for Girsh Park and an ice skating rink. The rink was included in the approval because of the overwhelming community support for an ice rink, demonstrated by a petition containing thousands of signatures from residents.
2003
The Start of Something Great
The Greater Santa Barbara Ice Skating Association (GSBISA) was established in 2003 as a non-profit organization with the goal of raising enough money for the capital campaign to start constructing, and finally operating an affordable, public ice skating recreational facility for the enjoyment of the youth, adults, and families of our community.
2013
Article in SB News-Press “Lights galore: Annual Holiday Parade illuminates SB”
Article in SB News-Press “Lights galore: Annual Holiday Parade illuminates SB”
2014
Groundbreaking
The day finally came on Thursday, November 20, 2014 to break ground for the construction of the future site of Ice in Paradise. Crowds showed up to witness the momentous groundbreaking, joined by Greater Santa Barbara Ice Skating Association (GSBISA) Board Members and people from the City of Goleta.
Laying the Foundation
The foundation was poured and cranes were brought in to raise the walls for the future skating rink. Construction crews continue their work into 2015 with construction expected to be completed by September of 2015.
New Logo
The Ice in Paradise logo that we all know and recognize today, didn't always look that way. It was in 2014 that the current logo was designed.
2015
October 10, 2015: Opening Day and Ribbon Cutting
Ice in Paradise finally opens to the public! The long-awaited day has come on October 10, 2015. Goleta City Councilman, Michael Bennett cuts the ribbon as he's joined by Luc Robitaille holding the ceremonial scissors, Jack Norqual, the Campaign Chairman by the podium, and Ed Snider, a long-time supporter and donor for the rink, giving an approving thumbs up.
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Noozhawk wrote an article on this momentous day, you can read more HERE.
2016
Ice in Paradise Featured in RINK Magazine
Produced by the United States Ice Rink Association, RINK Magazine is an industry trade publication and Ice in Paradise made the front cover of their Jan/Feb 2016 issue. Written by Dan Marrazza, the article features Ice in Paradise, a newly opened rink that brought ice back to Santa Barbara, since the last rink closed 30 years prior.
Santa Barbara Royals are L.A. Kings High School Hockey League Champions!
"Santa Barbara's first youth hockey team, the Greater Santa Barbara Royals, became the L.A. Kings High School Hockey League champions. And it's only year one." writes aurthor Megan Waldrep. Waldrep continues, "Winning the championship is only the beginning for Santa Barbara hockey and skating in general, and Ice in Paradise is casting the net wide to include all who want to join in on the fun."
December 2016: Holiday Show
Ice in Paradise celebrate the winter season by hosting the 2016 Celebrate the Holidays on Ice Holiday Show, featuring Gracie Gold!
2017
March 2017: US Men's Sled Hockey Team Visits Ice in Paradise
Ice in Paradise hosts the US Men's Sled Hockey Team as they practice on-ice drills in preparation before they head off to the World Para Ice Hockey Championships tournament in South Korea.
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Noozhawk wrote an article on their visit, you can read more HERE .
Stanley Cup Comes to Ice in Paradise
A crowd of people (and even a dog) line up to see the Stanely Cup at Ice in Paradise and get their photo taken!
2018
Santa Barabara Ice Hawks 16U Takes First in State!
In 2018, the newly formed Santa Barbara Ice Hawks 16U team wins the State Championship title. Governed by the Santa Barbara Minor Hockey Association, the Ice Hawks is a co-ed hockey club, designed to promote amateur athletes to compete in ice hockey competitions.
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Noozhawk wrote an article about the win, you can read more HERE.
Ice in Paradise Celebrate 3rd Anniversary!
On October 14, 2018, Ice in Paradise hosts a 3rd Anniversary party! The celebrations included Ice Skating for All on the NHL-sized rink with skates provided, demonstrations from skaters from our Skating School, Hockey, and Figure Skating Programs and live music! The Doublewide Kings, "Kings of the 805" American Dirt band, performed while guests enjoyed food and drinks in Donor Park.​
2019
Santa Barbara Teens Heads to National Championships
After competing in the regional and sectional competitions, Sam Alen and Sage Kerst qualified for the 2019 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit.
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Santa Barbara Independent wrote an article, you can read more HERE.
2020
Ice in Paradise Temporarily Closes Due to Pandemic
The year 2020 was a tough year for everyone. Like many other businesses, we had to temporarily close due to the global pandemic. We used this time to re-developed our Programs, such as Learn to Skate and Youth Hockey, and we did our best with social distancing, even holding a Virtual Holiday Show, which you can find watch it HERE.
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Thanks for the continued support of our community members, we were finally able to reopen.
2021
Rinkside Café Featured in Montecito Journal
If you've ever visited the Rinkside Café, then you've probably been met with a friendly hello from Café Manager, Val, and if you ordered anything off our menu, then you know how delicious Chef Sean's food is. When Ice in Paradise reopened its doors following the pandemic, the Rinkside Café came along with it and has remained a mainstay. As journalist, Claudia Schou writes, Val and Sean are "visionaries behind Ice in Paradise's newest culinary concept."
Read the Montecito Journal article HERE.​​
2022
Ice in Paradise Now on LiveBarn!
Ice in Paradise is finally live on LiveBarn, a platform where you can watch live streaming or on-demand broadcasts of youth and amateur sports.
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Don't forget to sign up using Ice in Paradise's Promotion Code: para-dise​​
2023
March 2023: US Women’s Sled Hockey Team Visits Ice in Paradise
Ice in Paradise hosts the US Women's Sled Hockey Team for their training in preparation for the Para Ice Hockey Women's World Challenge, where they intend to defend their 2022 Gold Medal in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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KEYT did coverage of their visit, you can read more HERE.
July 2023: Closed for Maintenance
Ice in Paradise closed from July 2nd until July 9th in order to have the ice maintained. The ice had to be melted, replaced, and painted.
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See more photos of the ice maintenance in a Rink Highlight, which you can see by clicking HERE.
September 2023: Another Day in Paradise
In 2023 for Another Day in Paradise, we featured a dunk tank where you could come dunk your coaches! Steve Heinze sits waiting as possibly gets dunked again.
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Another Day in Paradise is an annual event hosted by Ice in Paradise with activities including skating lessons, public skate, food, and more! This year in 2025, we will be hosting a special Another Day in Paradise on October 11th to launch a year of celebration for our 10th Year Anniversary!
Stanley Cup Visits Ice in Paradise Again!
The Stanley Cup draws in crowds yet again, as it makes another visit to Ice in Paradise. Hockey fans wearing their favorite jerseys lined up to come see the cup and to take their photos with it.
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KEYT did coverage of the Stanley Cup visit, you can see more HERE.
Volunteer of the Year Award 2023
In 2023, we recognized our first ever official Volunteer of the Year, Frank Anderson. The recipient is nominated because of their dedication and support over the years of the rink. The continued support of individuals like Frank is what makes Ice in Paradise so great!
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Read more about our first Volunteer of the Year in a Rink Highlight, which you can read by clicking HERE.
2024
Curling Comes to Ice in Paradise
Ice in Paradise hosts Throw and Go, a learn to curl event presented by the California Granite Curling Club. So many people signed-up for our first event in April, that we decided to host the event again in July! From the success of both of those events, we have plans to continue hosting Curling Night in 2025!​​
STEM Field Trip Launch
Ice in Paradise offers a new program, the STEM Field Trip, where participants can learn the science behind ice skating! Participants are given a STEM lesson with a guided tour of the rink, followed by on-ice skating time with a skating lesson.
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To learn more, or to schedule your own STEM Field Trip, you can visit our website by clicking HERE.
2025
Success Center Launch
In February 2025, Ice in Paradise opened its doors to the Success Center. With the Success Center now opened, Ice in Paradise not only offers the users of the rink, a place to improve their skills on the ice, but also a place to improve academically. The Success Center has workstations, standing desks, wifi, and also tutoring services provided by our volunteer tutors!
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To learn more about the Success Center Program, you can visit our website by clicking HERE.