As the Feb. 2 date of the closure of the Culver Ice Arena nears, the prospect of an environmental hazard beneath the ice has emerged as a discussion point among those who still think the rink can be saved.
City Manager John Nachbar told distressed residents, amateur hockey players and families who use the 52 year-old rink at the Jan. 13 council meeting that the city cannot afford to purchase the building nor can it prevent the owner from selling it. Proponents of keeping the ice arena open are imploring their city leaders to help them in their quest to keep the rink operational.
The building has been sold to Planet Granite, a Northern California –based rock climbing and fitness gym.
Councilman Jim Clarke mentioned the possibility of frozen soil underneath the rink with the News before the council meeting.
“The site has been there for 52 years and as a result there the ground underneath has permafrost,” Clarke said. “The city could ask for an evaluation of what would be the impact on the structural integrity of the building and the environmental issues once the ground thaws out.”
Permafrost is defined as soil and sediment that is frozen more than two consecutive years, while the active layer is the upper part of the soil environment that thaws every summer.
Culver City resident Robin Turner, a paleontologist and archeologist, thinks Culver City should investigate the potential of permafrost existing underneath the building to protect the city government against potential future claims. “They should go through all of the (California Environmental Quality Act) so that they won’t have any problems later,” she recommended.
CEQA is a landmark state environmental law created in 1970 that requires state and local agencies within California to follow a protocol of analysis and public disclosure of environmental impacts of proposed projects and adopt all feasible measures to mitigate those effects.
In the 1960s, a Pasadena skate rink where permafrost was found was later converted into a post office. The postal facility closed shortly thereafter and was purchased by Public Storage, which now occupies the site.
Another Pasadena rink, the Polar Palace, reportedly had 40 feet of frozen soil under it after it burned down in 1963 and for several years no on build upon the land.
Because of the change of soils under a structure, permafrost can cause in problems with construction. In some cases, it has caused pipes at ice rinks to burst and warped the floors of others.
Turner said by doing an environmental analysis after the ice arena closes, Culver City officials might avoid any potential future litigation if permafrost is found beneath the rink.
“If the city is smart, they would conduct these environmental studies,” Turner reiterated. “If something were to happen and they allow (the new tenant) to build there, they could face some liability. They’ll never know what’s under there until they start digging.”
According to the Permafrost Research Institute, using stilts extending approximately 50 feet down into the foundation can prevent large buildings from sinking into the ground.