Ice Skating Rinks Orange County

During one particularly busy month in the preparation period for this year's edition of Stars on Ice, the full 14-member cast was available to rehearse for a grand total of three days. "That was because of all the competitions," says director-choreographer Sandra Bezic. "It's a credit to our organizational skills that we have a show." That show goes on tonight at the Pond of Anaheim. It's no secret that figure skating is hot.

During one particularly busy month in the preparation period for this year's edition of Stars on Ice, the full 14-member cast was available to rehearse for a grand total of three days. "That was because of all the competitions," says director-choreographer Sandra Bezic. "It's a credit to our organizational skills that we have a show." That show goes on tonight at the Pond of Anaheim. It's no secret that figure skating is hot.

A decade ago, the future of ice skating rinks in Orange County seemed as promising as that of a snow cone on a sweltering summer afternoon. The Brea Mall's rink had just closed, leaving the Ice Capades Chalet in Costa Mesa as the county's last ice-skating venue. But on Aug. 9, 1988, a decidedly winter activity suddenly became hip in a region famous for its lack of winter.