Los Angeles kids can skate to Olympic-sized dreams at Pickwick Ice

Pickwick Ice in Burbank is no new comer to L.A. as it will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. The National Hockey League-sized rink (just a tad narrower than Olympic size) has been serving the community well, including United States Olympian Mirai Nagasu, who assistant manager Sean Bachand says had been practicing at Pickwick Ice for four years until her move last October to Toyota Sports Center with her new coach Frank Carroll.

Bachand says there’s definitely been a surge in attendance at Pickwick Ice the past couple of months, but it’s nothing new to the rink, which plans appropriately for the occasion. “We have a four year plan,” he says. “We know that every four years during the Olympics public interest will peak and we plan for that.” Planning includes offering more classes, and bringing on more coaches and teachers every four years to sustain the demand.

This year is no different, except for one thing. “We don’t see a lot of beginner adults enrolling themselves like they used to,” he says. “Adults are enrolling their kids, perhaps wanting to invest in future generations.” According to Bachand, Pickwick Ice is ideal for parent supervision, with their newly installed seamless glass all around the ice allowing parents an unfettered view of their future Olympians in training. Also ideal at Pickwick is the philosophy, as Bachand points out. “Usually it’s the parents who bring their kids in and push them to try ice skating. But the trick is to create a fun and safe learning environment where the kids connect to the sport and start having their own goals and sharing that with their parents.”

Pickwick Ice offers skating classes for 3 year olds to adults. Their winter 10 week session is almost over, but a new 10-week session begins March 17, 2010. Once-a-week classes for 10 weeks will cost you $130 plus skate rental. Go to the website for a $10 discount on classes.

Pickwick Ice

1001 W. Riverside Drive, Burbank, 91506
Public skating hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.; Wednesday and Sunday evening 8:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Cost: Admission and Skates – $10 age 12 and up; $9 age 11 and under
Check website for lesson dates, times and costs
Website

photo by shutterbc