The City of Irvine will co-host the groundbreaking of a Community Ice Facility at the Orange County Great Park. When open in 2018, the facility will be the largest in California and one of the largest in the U.S. Co-host H&S Ventures, an affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, will have visual presentations and more information about the facility at the groundbreaking, 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16.

The 270,000-square-foot ice facility, to be built, operated and maintained by the affiliate, will have three National Hockey League-standard ice rinks and one Olympic size, to include a 2,500-seat arena.

Located near the Great Park’s Palm Court and adjacent to the Festival Site parking area, the Community Ice Facility will be reserved most of the time for public use. A variety of ice sports and recreation will include youth and adult hockey programs, regional and national tournaments, figure skating, and open public skating. The Anaheim Ducks are expected to practice occasionally at the 13.5-acre site.

The groundbreaking is free to the public; no RSVP is needed. Enter the Great Park at Marine Way and follow the signs.

In February 2016, the Irvine City Council approved a 50-year lease on the property.