Is Ice Skating Rink Still Coming to Elk Grove?

Bringing an ice skating rink to Old Town Elk Grove this winter may not be a certain thing after all.

The Elk Grove City Council on Wednesday approved a contract with Ice Unlimited to bring an ice skating rink to a newly purchased property near Elk Grove Boulevard and the railroad tracks, but that contract wasn't signed Friday as officials had hoped.

"The operator chose not to execute the contract as it was written at the council meeting," city spokeswoman Christine Brainerd said by phone. "It's a priority for city and we've already begun exploring other holiday event options for the site."

Ice Unlimited owner Rob Porter said nothing was certain yet, and declined to comment further.

City Council Member Gary Davis said he was hopeful the deal could be saved.

"The official negotiation's broken down but I've been talking to an associate of his and trying to bring everyone back together," Davis said. "At this point I think we're a ways from bringing it back. I also don't think it's totally dead."

Davis, who was not a part of the official negotiations Friday between city staff and Ice Unlimited, said if the vendor will return to the table, the city will be happy to work with him.

Council Member Sophia Scherman said she hadn't heard anything to indicate the deal could be revived.

"I'm very disappointed," Scherman said. "I was really looking forward to it, but when we can't do a contract that's in the best interest of the city, I support staff's position."

Scherman was absent from Wednesday's meeting, where a proposed deal with Ice Unlimited was approved by a 3-1 vote after being altered in a council recess. Council Member Steve Detrick voted against the deal.

Old Town Elk Grove Foundation President Paula Maita said she didn't know much except that negotiations "fell through."

Check back with Elk Grove Patch for more information on this story as it becomes available.

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