The next step in our shared road to a new ice rink takes place tonight at Burlingame City Hall. The Burlingame City Council will be considering an ice rink proposal and other recreational options for the Anza Blvd recreation site. We desperately need Burlingame residents to attend tonight's meeting and speak to the Council: Tuesday, January 17, 2017 7pm Burlingame City Hall 501 Primrose Road in Burlingame This is a unique opportunity and great timing for us to get a new ice rink on the Peninsula. The Anza site is zoned for recreation; this should reduce concerns over more profitable land uses replacing the ice rink down the road (as happened in San Mateo and Belmont). The San Mateo City Council is considering $8 million in payment from SPI that can be used toward a new rink on the Peninsula. A local nonprofit, led by local businesspeople, has put together a proposal for the state of the art two ice sheet rink. Everything is coming together . . . . . . but we need to convince the Burlingame City Council that the ice rink proposal is the best for Burlingame. City staff have instead recommended TopGolf, an adult/alcohol focused sports bar chain that includes a driving range. We need you to attend tonight's meeting to convince the Council to overturn staff's recommendation and instead approve the ice rink proposal. Burlingame residents, please turn in a comment card to the Clerk when you arrive so that you will be able to speak when the ice rink is up for discussion (item 10a on the agenda). When you speak, make sure to mention where you live. Non-Burlingame residents, we hope that you, too, will attend tonight's meeting to demonstrate the support from neighboring communities in visiting a new rink in Burlingame. PLEASE hold off on submitting a comment card to speak, however. We do not want to overwhelm the Council with non-Burlingame speakers or with repetitive comments. Please allow the Burlingame residents to speak first. Then, only if you have a topic that has yet to be addressed, turn in a comment card to ask to speak. Please ask the Council to hold off on a vote as the public has not had an adequate opportunity to review the proposals. With an additional thirty days, the public and Council can better understand the proposals and their merits. Additional talking points are below. See you tonight and thanks for doing your part! Mike Swire and the Committee to Save the San Mateo Ice Rink TALKING POINTS Speak from the heart on why the ice rink is important to you. This is much more meaningful than canned comments. Here are some themes that we have heard from you: - The public needs more time to evaluate the proposals and voice its opinion to Council. - There is enormous pent up demand for ice rinks given the closures in San Mateo and Belmont. - The San Mateo and Belmont rinks were financially viable. Unfortunately, given skyrocketing land values, they were not the most financially attractive land uses. - The City of Burlingame should place the recreational needs of Burlingame residents over the financial interests of national hotel chains with properties in Burlingame. These hotels are doing exceptionally well without TopGolf. Why should we deny local kids an ice rink just so these hotels can raise prices by a few dollars? - TopGolf is a for-profit Texas corporation. Its focus is on making money by selling alcohol to young adults. On the contrary, a local nonprofit has put forward the ice rink proposal. It will include a homework center for kids. - Most of TopGolf's patrons are adults of drinking age, seeking a diversion. Most of the ice rink's patrons will be area children who dream of the Olympics, are trying to stay fit, or are going on a first date. - The TopGolf proposal will greatly increase the risk of drunk driving near Burlingame kids. TopGolf is one of the top alcohol vendors in the State of Texas. Now they are proposing sharing a parking lot and entrance with the Burlingame Soccer Complex, where hundreds of local children play with Burlingame AYSO and the Burlingame Soccer Club. Most of their patrons will be out of town hotel guests with little stake in the community. This is a disaster waiting to happen. - The ice rink proposal leaves enough room for a traditional driving range. It is a win-win for golfers and skaters.