Those are not stained glass windows, simply the sunset as seen from the interior of the new Sports Basement opening on Tuesday next week. Photo: courtesy Sports Basement
Those are not stained glass windows, simply the sunset as seen from the interior of the new Sports Basement opening on Tuesday next week. Photo: courtesy Sports Basement

Sports Basement will open in the former Berkeley Iceland location on Tuesday next week, 10 days later than originally forecast. It will follow with a “Grandish Snowpening” on Saturday, Nov.15, when Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates will officially cut the ribbon on the new retail store in the 71,862-square-foot building at 2727 Milvia St.

The historic ice­ skating rink has been renovated with the intent of preserving the look and feel of the original Berkeley Iceland. Structural updates include a new roof and floor, new walls on the north and south sides of the building, and the addition of 44 off­-street parking spaces and 64 off-­street bike parking spaces.

Read more about the work done to transform Berkeley Iceland into Sports Basement and the store’s plans for the community.

The Nov. 15 “Snowpening” will include games, drinks and snacks, free give-aways, the opportunity to win lift tickets and season passes to Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Sierra-at-Tahoe, and Bear Valley and complimentary beer provided by Lagunitas and Anchor Steam.

These photos show how the interior is shaping up.

Merchandise being unpacked at the new store. Photo: courtesy Sports Basement
Merchandise being unpacked at the new store. Photo: courtesy Sports Basement
The concrete floor has been cleaned and stained. The boundaries of the old ice rink are clearly visible. Photo: courtesy Sports Basement
The concrete floor has been cleaned and stained. The boundaries of the old ice rink are clearly visible. Photo: courtesy Sports Basement
We'll be hanging this beautiful original Iceland sign above our registers. A new, replica version will be put in its place over the front doors.
The original Iceland sign, seen here behind Sports Basement staff, has been retained and will hang above the store’s registers. A new, replica version will be put in its place over the front doors. Photo: courtesy Sports Basement
The original Iceland sign, seen here behind Sports Basement staff, has been retained and will hang above the store’s registers. A new, replica version will be put in its place over the front doors. Photo: courtesy Sports Basement
The store has a mezzanine level which will house team sports and camping equipment. Photo: courtesy Sports Basement
The store has a mezzanine level which will house team sports and camping equipment. Photo: courtesy Sports Basement

For more information about the store and its opening events, visit the event page and connect with Sports Basement on Facebook.

Related:
Sports Basement to open on Nov. 1 at Berkeley Iceland site (08.22.14)
Group circulates ballot measure to preserve ice rink (04.13.12)
Sports Basement to take over historic Berkeley ice rink (09.12.12)
Op/Ed: Berkeley Iceland is so much more than a building (09.11.12)
Op/Ed: Let’s maintain Berkeley Iceland whatever its fate (07.25.12)

To find out what is going on in Berkeley and nearby, be sure to check out Berkeleyside’s Events Calendar. And submit your own events: it’s self-serve and free.

Tracey Taylor is co-founder of Berkeleyside and co-founder and editorial director of Cityside, the nonprofit parent to Berkeleyside and The Oaklandside. Before launching Berkeleyside, Tracey wrote for...