Second in a series
Re “Scenes from a Community Landmark’s Closing Day”
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Skater Hayden Paige (top) with partner Grace Koplin in the National Showcase competition at Cape Code.
Mindy Paige, who has been bringing her 11-year-old daughter Hayden to the now-shuttered Culver City Ice Arena for the past five years, said that last week’s unearthing of the previously unknown use variance gives her “hope” about the rink will reopen.
When, however, is a question for the gods, and presently no one hereabouts is in touch with them.
Keeping in mind that Ms. Paige is a prosecutor, her view may pack more weight than those of other parents who shoehorned into the Ice Arena on Sunday for one grand farewell skate-around.
“In my opinion, there is definitely hope to keep the ice rink going,” said Ms. Paige after learning of the existence of a 1960-dated use variance that holds the property only may be used for ice skating.
“I do not think that (the next lessee) Planet Granite will be able to hold out” for the estimated many months required to uncurl the suddenly densely entangled legalities surrounding the building and land.
“Before that use variance was found, the City Council was able to passively sit back and say ‘We are so sorry. This is a private matter, and we have no… There is nothing we can do about this because there is a private lease that has been signed.
“Finding that use variance,” said Ms. Paige, “puts the burden back on the city. The City Council would have to actively go against their community to grant any zoning variances and a permit.
“Knowing that more than 15,000 people have signed the petition to keep the rink open, and that Planet Granite (from the Bay Area) is not a local company, there is no way, in my opinion, that the City Council would go against their community.
“The Council knows how valuable this place is to the community, how important it is.”
What does Ms. Paige believe the five elected officials should do?
Should City Hall take over the rink?
“Absolutely,” she said, “if they could figure a way to have Parks and Recreation take it over. If someone could figure out a way to organize an ice skating foundation, a 501 (c) where people could donate and have that money as a tax writeoff.”
Ms. Paige projected that “a ton of money could be raised in a very short time.”
