'A New Beginning' Coming To Bridgepointe Ice Rink, San Mateo Says

SAN MATEO, CA –SPI Holdings, the owners of the Bridgepointe Shopping Center, and Nazareth Ice Oasis Inc., the Redwood City ice rink operator, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nazareth Enterprises, Inc., verbally notified the City of San Mateo that they are signing a lease [Friday] to re-open and operate the Bridgepointe Ice skating rink. After an inclusive and exhaustive process with all operators interested having the opportunity to view the building and submit proposals, SPI has selected Nazareth to operate the rink.

This is the second time that Mounir Kardosh, Nazareth’s President, has taken on the task of saving a local ice rink; fortifying his commitment to community service, particularly for the residents of the Peninsula.

Mr. Kardosh was excited to make the announcement, “It is a pleasure to operate the rink because of the benefit to the community. The rink means so much to San Mateo residents and I based my company in San Mateo because of our thriving community.”

Nazareth Ice Oasis SanMateo will grow the brand and expand the management duties of Mr. Hanna Hanhan, who is set to begin the process of the remodel immediately, with the goal of opening the rink on Friday, September 1st, 2017. Kardosh also announced, “The new facility will be called Nazareth Ice Oasis San Mateo. We opened the first Nazareth Ice Oasis [Redwood City] as a way of giving back, but certainly, operating two ice rinks in close proximity is important to their financial viability so that we can keep these important recreational amenities open for the community.”

“The strong civic engagement and support for community recreation are two important reasons why San Mateo thrives. Nazareth is based in San Mateo and is positioned to best serve the San Mateo community with a prosperous rink,” said SPI partner Dennis Wong. “The city has strong leadership and community support which bodes well for the future.”

Councilmember Joe Goethals, who has led the City’s effort to retain an ice rink in San Mateo County, was excited for the progress toward reopening the ice rink at Bridgepointe. “I am so pleased with this announcement from SPI and Nazareth Ice Oasis. The skating community has feared the closing of more rinks on the peninsula and fewer facilities for skating. This announcement not only saves Bridgepointe, but makes it easier for Redwood City’s Nazareth Ice Oasis to remain open as well. Nazareth is so excited, they already ordered a new Zamboni. Sharpen your skates for later this year.”

– SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: City of San Mateo / Image via Google Maps