City explores possibility of teaming with NHL franchise for recreation facility

Facility would be boon for sports tourism in Gilroy

The city of Gilroy has entered into a one-year exclusivity period with Sharks Sport & Entertainment LLC. The purpose of the agreement is to fully assess the potential of having the San Jose Sharks organization operate a new indoor recreational facility that the city is considering building in the southern end of Gilroy.

A drive through Gilroy’s neighborhoods on any given game day will result in numerous sightings of the familiar teal jerseys, caps, and flags, and it’s clear that many Sharks fans reside here. It would be a power play for the city to net such a facility. But don’t fire up the Zamboni, light the lamp, or start growing those playoff beards just yet. That biscuit hasn’t fully entered the basket.

Project details are still under discussion, and the city and the Sharks organization remain silent about the agreement. However, if it is built, the facility would likely introduce opportunities for a variety of sporting programs and events, to include ice hockey.

The proposed recreational facility would be located off Monterey Road, as part of the Gilroy Sports Park. The Gilroy Sports Park sits on 79 acres, located at 5925 Monterey Road. It currently includes facilities for baseball, softball, jogging, and soccer, as well as trails, picnic tables, a playground, and restrooms.

According to a press release from City Administrator Gabriel Gonzalez, “Having the proposed facility operated by a national brand with a proven track record of operating recreational ice facilities would be a great opportunity for economic development and has the potential to heighten our position in the region as a destination location and increase travel and tourism to Gilroy.”

Sharks Sports & Entertainment LLC currently operates recreational facilities in San Jose, Fremont, and Oakland, all under the branding of Sharks Ice. But, if built, the proposed Gilroy facility would be the first of its kind to extend south of the Sharks’ home ice, and a feather in the cap of South County residents who enjoy a good face-off. SSE also operates the San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks’ American Hockey League affiliate, which shares the SAP Center in downtown San Jose with their parent club.

“Discussions during this preliminary period are non-binding and provide the opportunity to fully assess the potential of the proposed facility in Gilroy,” according to Gonzalez’s press release. “Neither the San Jose Sharks nor the San Jose Barracuda teams would re-locate to Gilroy as part of this project.”

The San Jose Sharks brought a 46-27 record into the playoffs in the 2018-2019 season.

In April 2019, the Sharks won a thrilling series against the 2018 Stanley Cup runners-up, the Vegas Golden Knights, sealing their improbable victory at SAP Center and advancing to the next round.

Unfortunately, in May, the club was eliminated in the Pacific Conference finals, falling short 4-2 in their series with the St. Louis Blues.

Their record has been consistently in the 46-27 range during the past five seasons, making the playoffs the last four seasons, including a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016, following the inaugural season of head coach Peter DeBoer. Defenseman Brent Burns, a fan favorite, has been named to the NHL All-Star roster in each of the last five seasons, while team captain and center/right wing Joe Pavelski has qualified for the All-Star squad in three of the past five seasons.

Since their first season in 1991, the San Jose Sharks have taken their community involvement seriously. The Sharks Foundation has given more than $15 million to those in need since its inception in 1994.

Additional charitable efforts include community assist grants, blacktop resurfacing, a holiday assist party, and in-game collection drives.

Furthermore, they give back to the community through programs such as Goals for Kids, which donates $1,000 per goal scored to local organizations helping underserved Bay Area youth and families, and the Stick to Fitness street hockey program, which educates middle school students on the importance of healthy living and physical activity.

Bringing an organization committed to community involvement would be a boon for the city of Gilroy, not solely for the youth who would benefit from the “Sharks and Rec” opportunities, but for economic development as well.