Desert Heat Gives Way To Ice In Cathedral City

Construction crews will begin converting a former Coca-Cola bottling plant into a regulation-sized hockey rink in Cathedral City next week.

The Desert Ice Castle at 68600 Perez Road was initially expected to open this month, but some changes were made to the plans, according to property owner Anthony Liu, who also owns the Ice Castle International Training Center in Lake Arrowhead.

“We’re on track now with the first permit and ready to proceed,” Liu said.

Liu, who is also a figure skating coach, said the building will have hockey and figure skates for rent, a concession stand, a skate shop, four locker rooms, a coach room and bleacher seating for about 160 people.