Two nonprofit skating clubs have finalized an agreement to buy out the operator of the Oxnard Ice Skating Center, saving the facility from closing.

Channel Islands Riptide Hockey Club and Channel Islands Figure Skating Club officially take control from Oxnard Ice Center Ltd. today, said Jim Meaney, president of the hockey organization.

"I feel great," Meaney said in a phone interview Friday. "It's been a tough 30 days."

About a month ago, Oxnard Ice Center President Mike Paikin said he planned to close the rink in the Wagon Wheel area because of financial problems. Paikin of Sherman Oaks suggested the clubs buy the business.

Fearing the closure of the only ice-skating rink in west Ventura County, the two clubs quickly mobilized to raise money and surpassed their goal of $120,000 last weekend, Meaney said.

Donations came from around the country, including a substantial contribution from the National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks.

The agreement, reached Wednesday night, allows the clubs to purchase Paikin's assets. Meaney declined to provide the figure.

Paikin has blamed the rink's failure on the Santa Clara River Bridge renovation, which left the nearest exit ramp off Highway 101 closed for 18 months. Rumors of redeveloping the 63-acre Wagon Wheel complex only worsened the situation, Paikin has said.

Paikin did not return a phone call Friday seeking comment for this report.

The groups are now focused on marketing the rink, Meaney said, adding "we're going to increase revenues and build the business."

Marketing possibilities include birthday parties and open skating on Friday and Saturday nights.

Five of the rink's top managers will retain their jobs, but an uncertain number of the facility's 40 employees will be let go, Meaney said.

Janene Wasserman, president of the figure skating club board, said the short-term goal is to increase awareness of skating.

The clubs, however, still face the daunting task of finding a new location for a facility as plans to redevelop Wagon Wheel with housing and retail outlets move forward. Oxnard Village Investments Inc. has guaranteed the clubs can rent the facility for two years after the approval of any project.

The clubs are looking for a site in either Oxnard or Camarillo, Meaney said, adding officials in both cities have been helpful.

"We're really not looking in Ventura," Meaney said. "It's not an option. Our market is Ventura County, and to do it right you have to be in the center of the county."

The clubs will collaborate in running the operation, Wasserman said.

Both are registered nonprofit corporations, but only the skating club has tax-exempt status for donor checks.

Three members of each board will sit on a mutual governing body to run the rink, Wasserman said.