I do think, after fifty-plus years serving generations of ice skaters in the Santa Rosa and Sonoma County communities, I can refer to this building as ‘venerable.’

And I am proud to announce that this venerable building is getting a new top hat, so to speak. In other words, a new roof, and maybe just in time.

Opened as the Redwood Empire Ice Arena in 1969, the Arena was known for more than recreational skating sessions.  In its early years, it also became known for a myriad of personal appearances by stars such as Bob Newhart, Liberace, Carl Reiner, Ann Murray, Seiji Ozawa with the San Francisco Symphony, and Victor Borge.

Later, in the mid-1980s and 1990s, the Arena was celebrated for its lush professional skating shows, starring famous skaters such as Mr. Debonair; Richard Dwyer; Kristi Yamaguchi; Scott Hamilton; Peggy Fleming; and senior tennis player entertained spectators for a week each year in 1983; 1984; and 1985. Skateboarder Tony Hawk performed at the arena as part of an extreme sports show promoting inline skating with Sparky’s daughter Jill.

The show skaters and tennis players signed their names in cement squares, which can be seen around the Arena and gift shop landscaping.

 

Sparky started this tradition, which was passed along for many years.

 

Today, it is more commonly known as Snoopy’s Home Ice. After several upgrades to the interior in the past five years, it is hoped that the new roof, plus added insulation, will increase the energy efficiency of the building and add to the skating experience well into the future.

Here is the roof with the ornamentation removed, but it still retains its Swiss Chalet ambiance

The decorative beams on the roof hid the HVAC units.

This crane was necessary to remove the tiles and place them in the parking lot.

Workmen begin removing the shingles. At one time, there were thirty-five construction workers on the job.

While the roof work is underway, the Arena team is utilizing this opportunity to perform general maintenance, including painting, cleaning closets, and addressing other necessary repairs. And of course, cleaning up after the debris falls on what will later be a clean, new ice surface.

 

Scott is cleaning the debris from the roof project and protecting the vinyl figures that will be set in the ice later.

The staff is also getting ready for the 50^th anniversary of Snoopy’s Senior World Hockey tournament, attracting players 40 years and older across the US and Canada.

When the yellow umbrellas are out, the Warm Puppy Café is open!

Best of all, the Warm Puppy Coffee Shop, Sparky’s favorite place to hang out, is still open to visitors! As is Snoopy’s Gallery and Gifts, every day except Tuesdays, until the Arena is reopened, when it will be open daily.

—Jean Schulz