Ice rink warms residents' hearts

$7 million Fiesta Rancho facility features pro shops, locker rooms and a concession

Victoria Noto talked about the opening of the new $7 million Fiesta Rancho Ice Arena while helping her 9-year-old daughter Alexandra apply lipstick.

"We love it here," Noto said as Alexandra puckered. "It's a little newer, a little bigger. We're like a big family, and (the Fiesta) wants to keep it that way."

Alexandra was getting ready to perform for the arena's grand opening on Sept. 10. The 31,000-square-foot rink, built in just 100 days, is Station Casinos' way to make up for closing the rink at the nearby Santa Fe Station that served as the local ice skating community's home for years. That rink closed to make way for expansion.

"You can see the growth out there," said Rob Pallin, manager of the old and now new rink. "You would go into the (Santa Fe) casino and every slot machine was taken. The ice arena could be converted into casino space. When you have 17,000 square feet, you can sure make a lot more money with slot machines. But they always had the intention of building another ice rink for the community."

"We are very proud to make a $7 million donation to the community to keep ice skating alive," said Fiesta Vice President Dean DiLullo. "We wanted to make sure the sport stayed alive."

The new, 500-seat arena includes a full-sized ice rink, a hockey and figure-skating pro shop, four team locker rooms and a concession stand. It will host public skating, classes, hockey leagues and special events and serve as the practice rink for the Las Vegas Wranglers minor-league hockey team.

"It's state-of-the-art here," Pallin said. "There's an unbelievable sound system, synchronized lights for public skating, a beautiful birthday room. In every seat, you are pretty much on top of the play."

Pallin, who also works as a youth hockey coach and hopes to introduce speed skating programs to the community, said the new arena will get plenty of use.

"Hockey is sure growing here," he said. "We have 500 kids in our youth (hockey) program. We have about 200 competitive figure skaters and 16 men's league teams that play out of here."

"We're seeing great demand with figure skating and hockey league athletes already booking space for practice and tournaments," DiLullo said.

Retired National Hockey League player Marty McSorley, who attended the arena's opening, said hockey helps build communities.

"After having spent so many hours in an arena, I can't think of a better place for young people to spend their time," he said. "It's a pleasure to see the game of hockey grow and flourish."

Public skating times at the new arena are from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 8 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. There will be an adult skate from 12:15 to 2:15 p.m. each Wednesday. Admission is $6 and skate rental is $2.50. For more information, call 631-7000.


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