Spoiler: Redding isn't getting an ice arena. Here's what's next for old courthouse
The verdict is in on what Redding should do with the old Shasta County courthouse downtown, after the Record Searchlight's Redding.com runoff poll closed on Tuesday.
Did the majority who weighed in want a bigger jail? …more office space for county services?
And the winner is: Ice rink, with 59.3% of the vote.
The runoff showed readers heavily favored a recreational center, like an ice rink over a bigger jail — which received 24.2% of the vote, and a county office complex — which garnered 16.4% of the vote.
But don't put on your sequined leotard or hockey mask yet. Other ideas are in the works, one county official said.
Rather than tackle the expensive task of redeveloping the three-story Early Modernist building — built in 1956, Shasta County supervisors opted to demolish it. They also decided in March to postpone nailing down long-term plans for the Court Street property, and opted to table planning until later this year or in early 2026.
The supervisors want some time to explore ideas, but possible short-term plans for the property include a green space and parking lot, said Public Works Director Troy Bartolomei.
A challenge to funding a temporary park is grants that promise to match 50% of building costs expect the park to be there for the long haul, Bartolomei said. The county is still researching funding options, but won't likely agree to a long-term green space built on premium downtown land that could be worth more if used in other ways.
A parking lot would be the most practical use. That would relieve some of Court Street's parking congestion for the public using county facilities, and for county staff, Bartolomei said.
Parking lot or not, supervisors want to preserve the old courthouse's sloping green lawn, he said, and four memorials on the property. Those include the Pearl Harbor and Peace Officers memorials, and two memorial trees.
For now, the next task is doing a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) study. That could take some time. The county started collecting proposals from consultants who want to do the study on April 18, according to Bartolomei.
Bartolomei confirmed on Wednesday what he told supervisors in March. Demolition could begin as soon as summer 2026 and will cost about $5.3 million.
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The runoff of readers' top three favorite uses for the old courthouse property came after the initial Redding.com poll closed on April 16. Uses that didn't get enough votes by last Wednesday to make it to the runoff included a farmers market space, a parking garage and an apartment building with retail stores on the main floor.
Whatever supervisors decide to put on the old courthouse property, it won't likely be an ice rink, Bartolomei said.
Redding's climate "would make that quite a challenge," both financially and mechanically, he said.
Costs to maintain a year-round indoor ice arena can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars per year or more, according to online business estimates. Just buying refrigeration technology can run $60,000.
So don't expect to see glam figure skating sports commentator duo Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir dropping in for steaks at Jack's Grill anytime soon.
But he also understands why people want one, said Bartolomei, who grew up in Ukiah, near Santa Rosa's Redwood Empire Ice Arena.
The indoor ice rink was built and bankrolled in the 1960s by Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz. "It was there because Charles Schulz wanted it" and paid for it, Bartolomei said.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Redding's old courthouse likely to be turned into park, not ice rink
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