The still remembered Ice Capades Chalet

Lolita Harper

It was a time when the Zamboni ruled. Ice was something you skated

on, not wore around your neck. And children could grasp the

experience of winter wonderland in a region that knows no seasons.

It was the 1980s when the Ice Capades Chalet was at its prime.

The traditional Costa Mesa recreation spot holds a special place

in my heart because it was my favorite “treat.” My mom didn’t believe

in giving money for grades, so every trimester when my report card

showed favorable marks, I was allowed to take a friend ice skating.

Usually that friend was Jodi de Boom -- daughter of Daily Pilot

columnist Jim de Boom -- who happened to be my best friend at Kaiser

Elementary.

I remember she and I would get bundled up -- if you call jeans, a

turtle neck and bulky sweater bundled up -- and head over to the Mesa

Verde center.

The first few laps around the rink were always awkward, with lots

of arm waving and desperate grabs for the railing. A few more minutes

and we were skating like old pros, just daring each other to try more

difficult moves.

Jodi and I would keep tabs on how many times we fell and it was

always an unofficial rule that the person with the least tumbles at

the end of the day was the best skater.

Of course my tallies were always higher than hers, but I would

argue it was because I took more risks. We were both stubborn, but it

was just friendly competition.

Now the old building stands lifeless, but while it was running, it

was a great place for birthday parties, report card rewards -- and

little did we know or care about it then -- exercise.

It may be gone, but the Zamboni still rules.

* LOOKING BACK runs Sundays. Do you know of a person, place or

event that deserves a historical look back? Let us know. Contact

James Meier by fax at (949) 646-4170; e-mail at

[email protected]; or mail at c/o Daily Pilot, 330 W. Bay St.,

Costa Mesa, CA 92627.