Sharks Ice mega expansion approved by San Jose, adding rinks, amenities
Construction to expand Sharks Ice skating complex to be complete by 2022
SAN JOSE » The popular Sharks Ice complex in central San Jose is headed for a mega expansion after city officials gave final approval to the growth plans for the skating center.
The decision by the San Jose City Council clears the way for a project that would more than double the size of the ice center and add two rinks.
Once the expansion is complete, the number of ice sheets at the skating complex will increase to six, up from the current four.
“We are thrilled to enhance our partnership with the City of San Jose and add much-needed additional sheets of ice at Solar4america at San Jose,” said Jon Gustafson, Sharks Ice senior vice president. “This facility has become an incredible community asset, hosting more than 1.2 million visitors each year.”
Located a short distance south of downtown San Jose, the popular Sharks Ice would be nearly 385,000 square feet in size once construction is complete and more than 204,000 square feet are added. The existing center is about 180,000 square feet in size.
The new Rink 5 would be a community and practice ice rink. Rink 6 would consist of a 4,213seat competition rink.
San Jose Barracuda home games would be among the events at the competition rink. When the Barracuda team isn’t playing a home game, Rink 6 would operate in a fashion akin to Rink 5.
The existing four rinks at the ice complex are also primarily dedicated to public and community uses, as well as practice sessions.
High school hockey, as well as an array of regional, national, or even international skating events could be held at the center with the new facilities.
The 4,200-seat spectator arena will include locker rooms, training facilities, and executive office space for the Barracuda. Among the other amenities: 12 suites, eight loge boxes, one theater suite, a 46-person party deck, three bar locations, seven food concession stations, a press room, and a press box. Two team merchandise stores also will be on site.
The existing Solar 4America Ice Facility, associated parking, the Excite Ballpark, and the Municipal Firing Range are currently operating on the 21.2-acre site at 1500 S. 10th St. near East Alma Street in San Jose.
The project developers intend to bulldoze the firing range and a portion of the existing parking lot to clear the way for the expansion of the ice complex. The baseball park will remain.
The expansion will also include 20,000 square feet for a dedicated medical facility, expanded and enhanced restaurant facilities, a homework study area, and a fitness center.
Sharks Ice, a unit of Sharks Sports & Entertainment, began operating the ice center in 1998. In 1999, the complex added a third ice sheet and a training facility for the San Jose Sharks. In 2005, a fourth ice sheet and Stanley’s Sports Bar was added.
Two other Bay Area ice facilities are operated by Sharks Ice: Solar4america Ice at Fremont and the Oakland Ice Center.
The rinks operated by Sharks Ice accommodate ice hockey, figure skating, broomball, curling, speed skating, ice dancing, and public skating. The Sharks Ice umbrella is home to the largest adult hockey league in the United States, with more than 4,300 participants.
Solar4america at San Jose also hosts the San Jose State University Spartans hockey team, the Jr. Sharks hockey program, the Peninsula Figure Skating Club, and the Silicon Valley Curling Club. Plus, the San Jose Sharks and the
Barracuda both train at the San Jose complex.
The City Council approved the expansion project Jan. 28.
The Sharks Ice complex provides a significant piece of San Jose’s economic mosaic, officials believe.
“It is an important economic engine for our city, generating thousands of dollars in transient occupancy taxes through hosting national and international hockey and ice competitions, filling nearly 6,000 hotel rooms annually,” Gustafson said.
Contact George Avalos at 408859-5167.