• Ice in Paradise staff and Goleta residents celebrated the long-awaited opening of the ice rink Saturday with a ribbon cutting and public skate. From left, Kathy Mintzer, Greater Santa Barbara Ice Skating Association president; former Los Angeles Kings star and now team executive Luc Robitaille; campaign chairman Jack Norqual; Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider; and Goleta City Councilman Michael Bennett. (Gina Potthoff / Noozhawk)
  • Ice in Paradise campaign chairman Jack Norqual spoke during Saturday’s opening, flanked by Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider, Los Angeles Kings great Luc Robitaille, Goleta City Councilman Michael Bennett and Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Kristen Miller. (Gina Potthoff / Noozhawk)
  • Dozens of kids tried took to the ice — with various levels of success — at Saturday’s opening of the new Ice in Paradise skating rink in Goleta. (Gina Potthoff / Noozhawk photo)
    Dozens of kids tried took to the ice — with various levels of success — at Saturday’s opening of the new Ice in Paradise skating rink in Goleta. (Gina Potthoff / Noozhawk photo)
  • So far, so good. (Gina Potthoff / Noozhawk)
  • The $15 million Ice in Paradise facility includes a second-story terrace with a great view of the skating and NHL rinks. (Gina Potthoff / Noozhawk)
  • The Ice in Paradise opening drew hundreds of curious skaters and onlookers alike. (Gina Potthoff / Noozhawk)

Bill Macfadyen is Noozhawk’s founder and publisher. Contact him at wmacfadyen@noozhawk.com, and follow him on Instagram: @bill.macfadyen. The opinions expressed are his own.