ICE AGE COMING TO VALENCIA ICE STATION SET TO OPEN NEXT MONTH.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Remember that feeling you would get on Christmas Eve? In the back of your mind, you knew that tomorrow would bring a joyous celebration with family and friends, yet the anticipation that built seemed to make the big day take a lot longer to arrive.

Residents of the Santa Clarita Valley can relate as they eagerly await the opening of the Valencia Ice Station, the region's new ice hockey rink.

The complex broke ground nearly nine months ago and is scheduled to open the first week in August.

``We've been amazed with the interest of the community,'' said Larry Bruyere, director of hockey operations. ``We've been sitting in a trailer at the facilities site preparing for the opening and the phones have been ringing off the hook.''

Roger Perez, president of the Ice Station, had the vision of building a complex that the community could identify with, while creating a positive environment for children.

Located across the street from Valencia High, the state-of-the-art facility is versatile. Skating surfaces vary from Olympic, to NHL, to 'Pond' sizes, and the pro shop features all the latest equipment. The banquet rooms are birthday-party ready and a full menu restaurant complements the center's unique atmosphere.

``When I looked at the demographics of the community, I saw so many kids with promise and potential,'' said Perez, a native of Montreal. ``The area has been waiting a long time for a rink and what they will be getting is the most entertaining and best ice skating arena in North America.''

While the amenities are expected to be excellent, the experienced staff - including Ross Lonsberry, John Devereaux and Bridget Dunn - is what Perez feels will be the Ice Station's biggest asset.

Lonsberry, who played with the Kings and Boston Bruins and won two Stanley Cups with the Philadelphia Flyers, will coach the pee-wee-division players.

Devereaux, who will coach the squirt division, served as captain at Boston College, one of the prominent college hockey programs, and was drafted into the NHL.

Dunn, a 1985 Hart High graduate, has lived in the Santa Clarita region for 28 years and has been skating since she was 9. She toured parts of Japan, South Africa and Europe with a professional skating show from 1985-91 and will run the ice skating school.

``Growing up, I always dreamed of having an ice skating rink here,'' said Dunn, who plans to open with well over 100 classes. ``These classes we're offering are the foundation for basic skating. I think it's going to be a great experience and the kids will have fun skating with their peers.''

The Ice Station is holding tryouts for its travel hockey club, the Valencia Express, which will compete in Southern California Amateur Hockey Association.

Players will vie for roster spots on the mites, squirt, pee-wee, bantam and midget divisions.

Tryouts will take place in Panorama City at the Ice Chalet and in Van Nuys at the Iceland on July 16. For information about the Ice Station and its programs, call Larry Bruyere at [phone].

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Photo: The Ice Station in Valencia is in the last month of construction. Here, workers smooth a thin layer of sand being sprayed on the floor.

Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News