The future of the Valley Ice Center in Van Nuys has been thrown into question, prompting a swift response from the local hockey community.
On Sunday, members of the California Heat organization the in-house pro shop Natty Hatty, began circulating a petition aimed at preserving the facility, which has long served as a hub for youth hockey, figure skating, and community ice sports in the San Fernando Valley. As of 11:30 a.m. Monday morning there were over 3,600 verified signatures on their change.org petition.
While details remain limited, the petition cites concerns about potential changes to the property. On their official Instagram page, the California Heat said the facility is facing a partial demolition. According to the petition demolition is scheduled for May 1, 2026, and the ice sheet known as the Glacier sheet, the lobby area and the Natty Hatty pro shop as part of the proposed removal.
At this time there have been no official statements released. What VST can confirm, no permit has been publicly issued for demolition as of March 30.
Valley Ice Center represents more than just a rink—it is a community anchor, providing access to organized sports, training, and recreation in an area with limited ice facilities. Not only would the loss of a sheet of ice significantly impact availability, the loss of the pro shop would further reduce already limited access to hockey equipment and services in the region.
The rink is part of a broader network of facilities connected to programs supported by the Los Angeles Kings, including youth initiatives designed to grow the game at the grassroots level. Participation in these programs has seen notable growth in recent months, reflecting increasing interest in hockey across Southern California.
In addition to recent participation growth, Valley Ice Center has developed athletes who have gone on to compete at multiple levels including the NHL, NCAA, US National Development Program, and more.
The rapid emergence of the petition underscores the concern among players, parents, and local organizations, many of whom rely on the rink as their primary home ice.
The petition continues to gain traction as supporters seek to preserve access to ice sports in the Valley. A link to sign the petition can be found below.
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