The Plan

Close your eyes, feel the cold air on your face, hear that unique sound of blades skimming the ice.  Listen and look and help make this vision a reality honoring the 67-year legacy that is Berkeley Iceland.  With your help, we can save this treasure!

Generations of families, students and young people figure skated, played hockey and broomball, celebrated and socialized at Berkeley Iceland.  The site of countless skating events, it was the ice-of-choice for novice skaters hugging the walls with friends to get around the rink, to world champions from Dick Button to Kristi Yamaguchi.

Our vision is to restore and reopen this historic landmark as an ice palace and community recreation center, including new space for a glass-walled multi-purpose sports facility, a quality café overlooking the rink, a party room, club rooms, a children's play area, and an outdoor snow pile. Our goal is to be as green as possible within landmark guidelines.

Rink Arena and new second floor

Plans include creating a multi-purpose sports facility in the second floor balcony level overlooking the rink.  Skaters and parents alike have asked for workout rooms to exercise, and practice gymnastic and dance routines.   The fitness space provides opportunities for revenues beyond those from the ice rink itself, to help support our non-profit financial model. Designed for flexibility, it will be available for rentals and special events

Multi purpose fitness facility

Green technologies are being investigated during the design process, exploring how the heat generated by the refrigeration system might be used to heat off-ice spaces; how solar roof panels could produce electricity, reduce energy needs and offset costs, and even how healthy food at the café could support local farmers and improve the health of our children.

Cross section looking east

With an outpouring of public support, Berkeley Iceland was designated a historical landmark by the City of Berkeley in July, 2007, in recognition of its significance as an unusual example of Art Deco/Art Moderne architecture as well as its value as a community resource. All improvements and upgrades will be in accordance with landmark restoration standards to ensure the beauty of the past will continue to be experienced by future generations.

Berkeley Iceland in 1940