Great Park to Explore Opportunities for Community Ice Rink

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Orange County Great Park Board of Directors today authorized CEO Mike Ellzey to enter into negotiations with the Anaheim Ducks to develop a community ice facility at the Great Park for both public and private use.

"Bringing Cirque du Soleil to the Park through 2018 was the first step in creating Southern California's newest entertainment venue," said Great Park Chair Larry Agran. "We now look forward to working with the Anaheim Ducks to create new opportunities for thousands more people to enjoy our Great Park."

H & S Ventures, LLC manages the Anaheim Ducks hockey team, and is interested in developing an ice skating and hockey facility at the Great Park. According to initial discussions, the facility would start as a multi-sheet ice facility and could expand to include a stadium seating rink.

"An ice facility developed in partnership with the Anaheim Ducks would make a tremendous addition to our sports park," said CEO Mike Ellzey.  "We look forward to negotiating an agreement that will bring ice rinks to the Great Park for a variety of uses."

In another action, the board authorized the CEO to initiate a public outreach request for proposal to identify producers of major music events to encourage them to create a new signature music event unique to the Great Park. For more information go to www.ocgp.org.

About the Great Park

The Orange County Great Park, with its 1,347-acre master plan, is the focal point of the redevelopment of the publicly-owned portion of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro. The Great Park is currently 27.5 acres and includes an iconic tethered helium balloon that rises 400 feet in the air, providing an aerial view of Park development. A $70 million development plan to expand the Park to more than 200 acres is currently underway. The plan will build out a core section of the Park for the most immediate and wide-ranging public benefit, including the initial components of the sports park, a 114-acre agricultural area, and an art and culture exhibition space. For more information, please go to www.ocgp.org

SOURCE Orange County Great Park