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The announcement of the closing of the Berkeley Iceland has caused sort of a raucous in the community.
Sure, the Iceland was cheap and it has its history. And yes, groups of kids with ice skates turned up at a Berkeley City Council meeting en masse last week (okay, not really en masse, but there was a bunch of people there) trying to appeal to the council for funds.
But what may get the Iceland saved is the threat of corporate America.
The Oakland Ice Center, which would probably be the new home for many of the residents and students who use the Berkeley Iceland, is also having its run of financial troubles. But the city wants it to stay open so much that they have opened negotiations with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks to hand over operations of the Ice Center to the Sharks.
So, what’s with all the big fuss?
Residents are concerned that with the closing of the Berkeley Iceland and the possible takeover of the Oakland rink by the Sharks, that there won’t be an affordable place to skate.
Uh-oh, there goes corporate America again, ruining everything. Maybe.
We don’t think it’s that much of an evil thing that the Sharks are going to swoop in to save the Oakland Ice Center. Instead of being fearful of what the Sharks are doing, the “Save Berkeley Iceland” people should follow suit.
Appealing to the Berkeley City Council was a nice gesture by the “Save Berkeley Iceland” folk. It really is. But the city is strapped for cash as it is. And while we, the Clog, don’t think that Cal will make a play in the whole Iceland debate, the Daily Cal suggests that the university should.
So instead of appealing to the city, maybe the “Save Berkeley Iceland” folk should make appeals to Cal.
Iceland Deserves Help [Daily Cal]
Dozens Rally for Rink on Thin Ice [Daily Cal]
Land Sharks [East Bay Express]
We need this rink [saveberkeleyiceland.org]
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