P C March/April 2003 r on o fe Sp s Sh re e p o n cia e w ce l c E & tu d s it Tr E io ad n n e clo s ed ISIISI 20032003 ConferenceConference && TradeTrade ShowShow

Also Inside: Employee Training: Investment in Human Resources MOLD: New Dimension to an Old Problem Put Fun and Profit in Public Skating

volume 5, number 5 march/april 2003 contents Publisher Ice Skating Institute MOLD: New Dimension to Editor an Old Problem ...... 12 Dianne Powell by Albert Tyldesley Editorial Advisors Peter Martell Patti Feeney Commercial General Liability . . . .14 by Charles H. Cox Print Production Manager and Advertising Sales Manager Employee Training: Carol Jackson Investment in Human Resources .20 Art Director by Peter Martell Cindy Winn Livingston

Contributors Building Character Charles Cox through Sports ...... 22 Peter Martell by Jim Thompson Susan Snyder-Davis Art Sutherland Jim Thompson Put Fun and Profit in Albert Tyldesley Public Skating ...... 26 Michelle Wilkin by Michelle Wilkin Photo complements of MGM Grand Hotel & Casino MGM GRAND - site of 2003 ISI Conference and Trade Show The ISI EDGE (USPS 017-078, ISSN 1522-4651) is published How to Market Group Sales ...... 40 bimonthly; January/February, by Susan Snyder-Davis March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December; by the Ice ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Skating Institute, 17120 N. Dallas Pkwy., Ste. 140, Dallas, ISI Bronze Test Online ...... 13 TX 75248-1187. Annual Coaches Corner ...... 16 Subscription Rate is $24.00 per year. Periodicals postage paid at ISI Launces Strategic Campaign ...... 17 Dallas, TX, and at additional mailing offices. Judges Pass Certification Update Test ...... 21

POSTMASTER NOTE: Send Suggested Ice Arena Operator Maintenance Schedule ...... 23 address changes to ISI EDGE, iAIM Executive Level Courses Offered ...... 24 c/o The Ice Skating Institute, 17120 N. Dallas Pkwy., Ste. New ISI Manuals Available ...... 24 140, Dallas, TX, 75248-1187. Printed in the U.S.A. Winter Classic Fun For All ...... 28

Subscriptions available through Winter Classic Results ...... 29 membership only. ISI World Recreational Championships Team Entry Form ...... 30 ©2003 by the Ice Skating ISI World Recreational Championships Individual Entry Form ...... 32 Institute. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited Arena Programming Tip ...... 36 unless expressly authorized in writing by publisher. All rights Classified Ads ...... 38 reserved. Opinions expressed by contributors do not neces- Directory Additions ...... 42 sarily represent the views of the Ice Skating Institute, the publisher or the advertisers. DEPARTMENTS Submissions of manuscripts, materials, photographs, and CROSSCUTS News and Notes ...... 4 artwork are made at mailer’s CALENDAR ISI Endorsed Competitions, Shows/Exhibitions ...... 18 risk and must include self- addressed envelope with suffi- ICE ARENA ASSOCIATIONS NEWS ...... 34 cient postage for return. No GETTING CONNECTED ...... 42 responsibility will be assumed for unsolicited materials. ISI ISIA EDUCATION FOUNDATION REPORT ...... 44 reserves the right to edit mater- AND ANOTHER THING …. Commentary ...... 45 ial submitted for content and space consideration. ADVERTISERS INDEX ...... 45 and ISI’s Ice Arena Institute of Man- agement (iAIM program) is educating, preparing and certifying the industry leaders of tomorrow.”

FMC Partners with US Marines for Toy Dedicated to providing leadership, educa- tion, and services to the Drive ice skating industry. ice skating institute Facility Management Corporation 17120 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 140 (FMC) and the Massachusetts Depart- Dallas, TX 75248-1187 CrossCuts ment of Environmental Management Phone: (972) 735-8800 news and notes Fax: (972) 735-8815 (DEM) partnered with the United States e-mail: [email protected] Marine Corps in a “Toys for Tots” drive www.skateisi.org ISI, USFSA, PSA Announce Joint Effort November 30 - December 15, 2002. isi international headquarters staff Individuals who donated a new, Executive Director unwrapped $5 toy were offered free Peter Martell ISI President Jim Lange recently Managing Director, announced that the ISI Executive Com- admission to public skating at the 13 Member Programs and Services mittee has approved the concept of DEM skating rinks operated by FMC. Patti Feeney This was the sixth Christmas season for Controller working with the PSA and USFSA to Karen Schaffer develop an improved system for accred- FMC and DEM to partner with the Membership Coordinator itation of ice skating coaches. The fol- Marines for this event. Kimberley Russelle Editor lowing statement was approved: Dianne Powell New Addition of Skater’s Edge Source- Advertising Sales and The United States Figure Skating Asso- book Released Print Production Manager Carol Jackson ciation (USFSA), the Professional National Events Coordinator and Skaters Association (PSA) and the Ice The new, 552-page third edition of the Skating Program Director Skating Institute (ISI) are developing an Skater’s Edge Sourcebook is available for Lynn Roseberry skating consumers and industry profes- Administrative Assistant industry-wide system of accreditation Kathy Chase for ice skating coaches. The primary sionals. This updated and expanded Art Director goals are: edition of the Sourcebook offers readers Cindy Winn Livingston detailed listings of: Information Services Coordinator 1. Promote quality instruction in a safe Jeff Anderson and wholesome environment. • over 1,400 ice rinks Sponsorship Sales Manager 2. Promote qualified, educated and eth- • more than 900 companies offering Stuart Sedransky ical coaching. goods and services to the skating Telephone 972-735-8800 The project is a coordinated effort of all community isi officers three organizations and is a positive • detailed information on makes and President Jim Lange step for the entire ice skating industry. models of figure and hockey skates 1st Vice President Mike Paikin 2nd Vice President Gerry Hart • listings of videos, books, publica- Treasurer Jim Hartnett ISI Exhibit at Let’s Play Hockey Show tions, associations, federations, and Secretary Terry Juliar more …. Immediate Past President Boyd Wietecter Past President Murray Sandler The Ice Skating Institute exhibited at directors the Let’s Play Hockey Show in Las The new Skater’s Edge Sourcebook is District 1 Katy Hayden Vegas, NV, January 19-22, 2003. available through Barnes & Noble and District 2 Robyn Bentley Borders bookstores and can be ordered District 3 Richard Arenella online at www.skateredgemag.com. District 4 Jeff Doucette “We feel that it’s important for ISI to District 5 Shane Douglas reach out to all facets of the ice arena The retail price is $35, plus shipping. District 6 Carol Burns District 7 Margy Bennett industry. We have over 40 years of District 8 Spiro Giotis experience as the leading trade associ- Colleges Earn Coaching Education District 9 Ginger Krueger ation and our members are among the Accreditation District 10 Barb Yackel District 11 Liz Folger leaders in this business,” said ISI Exec- District 12 Tim Johnson utive Director Peter Martell. “We want Georgia Southern, James Madison District 13 Janice Teodoro Forbes all existing professionals and those (VA) and Shippensburg (PA) Universi- District 14 Paige Scott District 15 Donald Bartelson entering the industry to know who the ties have received accredited status for District 16 Cindy Solberg Ice Skating Institute is, what we do, their coaching education program District 17 Jos Pronk and how we can benefit them. Our from the National Council for Accred- District 18 Jean-Claude Detre Hockey Jay Wescott programs and services are the grass- itation of Coaching Education Builders & Suppliers Doug Peters roots of growth for this industry. We (NCACE). NCACE grants accreditation Instructors Dianne DeLeeuw Commercial Rinks Andy Deyo offer an unprecedented wealth of to educational programs that meet or Public Rinks Al Tyldesley information, resources and referrals for exceed requirements established as Schools, Colleges, Universities industry professionals. Our annual essential to the preparation of well- Member at Large Robert Unger PSA Representative Gerry Lane Conference and Trade Show is the qualified coaches at five levels. USFSA Representative Homer Hagedorn leading educational and networking NCACE is a not-for-profit organiza- Lifetime Honorary Members Fritz Dietl gathering in the ice skating industry, tion comprised of organizations and Carol Zdziebko 4 the edge march/april 2003 individuals involved in or supporting Use of FrontLine Solutions’ RMS county, municipal, college or school) or coaching and coaching education. A Spreads non-profit ice arenas. The machines are National Coaching Conference will be garaged throughout MA. They are held June 19-21, 2003 at the Penn FrontLine Solutions, a Venue1 Compa- propane fueled and operational. Most Stater Conference Center in State Col- ny, has successfully installed its Rink have a board brush, catalytic converter lege, PA. For more information, visit Management Systems (RMS) in the All- and vertical exhaust. Only a few have an the NCACE homepage at www.aah- tell Ice Den (training facility for the operational wash water system. They are perd.org/naspe/progrms-ncace.html Phoenix Coyotes) and HealthSouth 27-30 years old and have varying degrees or call 800-213-7193, extension 417. Training Center (training facility of the of corrosion. They would make good LA Kings). FrontLine Solutions was also backup machines or marginal primary Breaking the Ice selected by the Powerade IcePort to machines for seasonal rinks. Interested automate its facility. The company has parties will be required to sign an indem- Facility Management Corporation has signed contracts to provide Point of nity agreement and to pay to transport launched a program called “Breaking Sale devices for the Philadelphia Eagles’ the machine(s) to your location. If you the Ice” to provide ice skating and ice new Lincoln Financial Field opening in are interested in one or more of these hockey equipment and opportunities September 2003. FrontLine’s POS units machines, please contact Facility Man- for economically disadvantaged chil- have been installed in each of the four agement Corporation at 781-982-8166. dren. The program was developed to new football stadiums that opened in help break down the economic barri- 2002: the Seattle Seahawks, New Eng- ers of ice skating programs and to fur- land Patriots, Houston Texans and New Construction nish children with necessary equip- Detroit Lions. FrontLine has over 300 customers in the sports facility market ment at no cost. Donations of new • Fort Collins, CO - Work is underway across the U.S. and Canada. and used equipment are being accept- on an expansion to the Edora Pool and ed at FMC managed facilities. To be Ice Center with completion scheduled eligible for the program, families must Chattanooga Figure Skating Club for March 2003. submit an application and verify that Wants Ice the household generated $30,000 or • Superior, CO – A $1.2 million com- less in annual income. Applicants can Chattanooga, Hamilton County, TN plex with NHL-sized ice rink is being seek assistance for Learn to Skate has ice skaters, hockey teams and pro- built with funds raised by the Boulder classes, ice hockey, or figure skating. fessional coaches but no ice arena. At Valley Hockey Foundation. the 24th Annual Ober Gatlinburg Invi- Working in cooperation with local ice tational Team Championships last Sep- • Mt. Laurel, NJ – The IGLOO is sched- skating and ice hockey programs, tember, local coaches Linda Pope and uled to open in early March. “Breaking the Ice” will arrange assis- Deborah Cary Gibb took their students, who practice in Atlanta, Nashville, tance in the form of reduced tuition • Kelowna, BC, CN – The $15.9-$16.6 Knoxville and Huntsville, AL, to com- and/or scholarships for lessons as well million Mission Sports Centre is sched- pete. They earned 60 individual medals, as equipment. For more information or uled to open in September 2003. The including 17 Gold, 20 Silver and 12 to make donations, call Rick Nadeau at 192,000-square-foot centre will include Bronze and the second place team tro- 781-982-8166, extension 106. two NHL-size ice rinks with seating for phy. Up until last August the skaters 700 spectators, two indoor sports fields practiced on a small mall rink, but it was Coyotes Partner with Polar Ice with artificial turf, a 4,000-square-foot sold and dismantled. Pope and members recreational ice skating area with a of the Chattanooga FSC have issued an The Phoenix Coyotes have struck a three-lane running track, six-lane appeal for an entrepreneur to build a joint marketing deal with Polar Ice sprint track, and offices and meeting new ice arena in Chattanooga. Accord- Entertainment Inc., owner of ice are- rooms on a mezzanine. An 8,000- ing to Pope, the population of the 19 nas in Peoria and Chandler, AZ. The square-foot fitness center is to be com- county area surrounding Chattanooga is Polar Ice facilities will become Coy- pleted within one year of the centre’s over 700,000. “Chattanooga is a fine otes Centers. The Phoenix Coyotes opening and a restaurant within 18 community that would welcome a well- will sell building naming rights and months. other sponsorship opportunities as run rink and we have the skaters to keep it going,” she says. “If you are tired of well as assist Polar Ice with marketing • Scranton, PA – A new Ice Box is being competing with rinks all over town, strategies and creative services. A cor- built by developer Robert Burke who think of Chattanooga and the only com- porate sponsor’s name will precede developed the Ice Box in Pittston Town- petition you will need to worry about is Coyotes Center. Polar Ice Entertain- ship. The new 140,000-square-foot the one in your rink.” ment will continue to own and oper- recreational and commercial complex ate the facilities. The arenas will be being built in Scranton will house an Used Ice Resurfacers Available at No redecorated in Coyotes colors with indoor ice rink, a roller skating/roller the team logo and merchandise Cost hockey rink, 16 retail store spaces and prominently featured. The team will approximately 25,000 square-feet of periodically practice at the Polar Ice Facility Management is offering to pro- office space. The anticipated cost of the locations and will host events where vide at no cost seven used Zamboni HDB complex is between $4 million and $6 youth and amateur hockey players ice resurfacers and one used Zamboni million with a projected opening for and fans can meet Coyotes players. HD machine to publicly owned (state, late July or early August. Continued on page 6... the edge march/april 2003 5 ...Continued from page 5 • Bremerton, WA – Ground was bro- added to the Blade Runners Complex. 50,000-square-foot Icearium opened on ken last September and construction is The new 600-seat rink will serve the December 20, 2002 with one NHL-sized underway on privately funded Bremer- needs of the Pittsburgh Amateur Pen- sheet of ice and plans for a second ton Ice Arena. The 39,565-square-foot, guins Hockey Association. sheet. The facility features seating for single sheet facility will include a large 300 people, four locker rooms, three heated lobby with pro shop, food court, • Glendale, AZ – The arena being built hospitality rooms, a full-service conces- 1950s soda fountain, video arcade, for the Phoenix Coyotes is scheduled to sions area and numerous flat-screen TVs skate rental area and party rooms. The open on December 14, 2003. The Coy- with DVD/VCR and satellite TV pro- state-of-the-art, year-round facility, otes are expected to sell naming rights gramming. Facility programming offers scheduled to open this spring, will offer for the Glendale arena to a major spon- ice skating, hockey, broomball and curl- Learn-to-Skate, youth and adult hock- sor and to strike deals with eight other ing classes. The first session of ISI Learn- ey, figure skating, and short track companies as “founding partners” who to-Skate lessons enrolled 250 students. speedskating. Owner and Managing will have prominent arena displays. Bill Shipstad is the general manager, Director Greg Meakin has a 50-year Todd Schwartz the assistant general concession agreement with the city of • Wayne, NJ – A new, state-of-the-art manger, Donnie Brown the facility Bremerton for land use. In return he 76,500-square-foot ice arena is being manager, Nikki Copeland the director will provide 196 hours per year of com- built by World Wide Athletic Recre- of figure skating, Eddie Shipstad the munity ice time for the Parks and ation, LLC, in Wayne. Ground was bro- sales and marketing director, and Aaron Recreation Department. Meakin says he ken in December with a planned open- Barnes the assistant hockey director. will develop programs to target partici- ing set for July. The new facility features pants with special needs and those less two NHL-sized rinks, a central atrium, • Binghamton, NY – The new, state-of- fortunate. and an elevated restaurant and obser- the art Ice Center at Broome Commu- vation area overlooking both rinks. nity College opened last October. The • St. Catharines, ON, CN – The town Each rink provides seating for over 300 facility cost approximately $10 million council awarded a $3.8 million contract spectators. A decorative glass arched and has been entertaining about 5,000 for construction of Niagara-on-the entry with dual automatic sliding doors skaters a week. Lake’s new NHL-sized ice arena. An offi- forms the front entrance into a 2,800- cial opening is expected in October. square-foot lobby with cathedral ceil- ing. Off the lobby are the skate rental Names in the News • Las Vegas, NV – The Orleans Hotel- and customer service area and 1,600- Casino is building a $53 million arena. square-foot full service hockey and • Alpena, MI – Norm Sommerfeld The 80-foot tall, 9,000 seat, 167,000- skating pro shop. Automatic sliding is the new director/manager of square-foot facility will be home to the doors provide the entrance to each Northern Lights Ice Arena in Alpena. Las Vegas Wranglers hockey team, an rink. Upstairs, a glass walled 3,500- Sommerfeld is the former executive expansion West Coast Hockey League square-foot restaurant with gourmet director of the Sportsplex in Gaylord, franchise, and will host boxing match- coffee bar adjoins the 1,000-square-foot MI. Ryan Sharpe, the Sportsplex’s es, concerts, rodeos and conventions. arcade game room. Four party rooms, marketing director and pro shop There is an ice refrigeration system two with glass walls adjacent to the manager, is the interim manager of under the floor and 10,800 square feet rink provide optimum viewing. A state- the Sportsplex. of divisible meeting room space. There of-the-art lighting system, sound sys- are two giant monitor screens, spacious tem and fog/haze equipment along • Kudos to Rick “Rooster” Pelo- stadium chairs, 50 concourse food and with a high-tech closed circuit video quin (CAM), manager of the Fitz- beverage vendors and a two-story, recording system is being installed on patrick Arena in Holyoke, MA, on his 2,558-space garage with drive-up valet each rink. Hockey leagues, figure skat- work with the School Transition and service. The 24 suites with leather ing, public skating, learn to skate pro- Employment Project (STEP). STEP reclining chairs and concierge service grams, skating clinics, hockey clinics works with students with varying have sold out at up to $60,000 a year, and tournaments will be offered at the degrees of disability in an effort to and half of the $1,850 club seats are new facility. For more information on prepare them for adulthood, work and sold as well. this arena and/or job opportunities, to be productive members of their contact Larry Tippner, partner and gen- communities. Two STEP students • Ebensburg, PA – Bids came in under eral manager, at 201-818-5300. work three days a week, two hours a estimates for the construction of a full- day doing cleaning chores at Fitz- sized ice rink with four locker rooms, a patrick Arena. While performing pro shop, snack shop, skate-rental area, Arena Openings meaningful tasks, the students learn large commons area and bleacher seat- skills that will carry them into a suc- ing for about 150 spectators. The rink, • Andover, NH – Proctor Academy cessful adult transition. to be built near Central Cambria High held a dedication ceremony for its new School, is designed for multiple uses, ice arena last November. The facility is • Best wishes to Minnesota Ice Arena including roller ball and roller hockey named the Teddy Maloney Rink for a Managers Association former Board in the summer. ISI member Burley’s graduate who died in the September 11, member and President Jim Bell who Rink Supply was a successful bidder on 2001 terrorist attacks on the World retired after 26 years as Farmington’s the project. Trade Center. Director of Parks and Recreation.

• Harmar, PA – A third ice rink will be • Knoxville, TN – The $5.8 million, • St. Petersburg, FL – Highland Auc- 6 the edge march/april 2003 tion Services has acquired Adolf Hitler when she received the www.iceskatingauctions.com, bronze medal at the 1936 Winter Rink Rumblings the Internet venue that brings peo- Olympics. After turning professional ple together to sell new and used ice in 1938, she skated with the Ice Fol- WEST skating merchandise. lies, Ice Capades and other ice show. She and her husband, Gene Theslof, • Boulder, CO – All Sport Academy • Hazel Park, MI – Part-time Viking taught skating in Tennessee and the plans to open a 72,00-square-foot Ice Arena manager, Larry Knapp, Carolinas and started a skating school sports facility with an ice skating rink. has been hired as the full-time man- in Maplewood, MN. At age 81, she At press time, the site had not been ager. Knapp, general manager of skated with the Ice Capades at Target determined. Boulder Parks and Recre- Honeybaked Hockey Club, also Center in Minneapolis. She is sur- ation Department is looking for pri- manages the ice arena in Oak Park. vived by her son, Gene Theslof Jr., a vate partnerships for a proposed recre- former skater with Holiday on Ice, a ational facility to include a communi- • Congratulations to Olympic sister and three grandchildren. Her ty ice skating rink for indoor and out- champion, figure skating icon and love of skating continues through the door skating. ISI Special Skater Program many lives she touched. spokesperson Scott Hamilton and • Klamath Falls, OR – Bill Collier Com- his wife Tracey Rose Robinson • ISI is saddened to learn of the death munity Ice Arena at the Running Y who are expecting their first child in of Donald Cornwell. Don was the Ranch Resort has a new dome covering. September. founder and president of the Minuteman Skating School, one of the original ISI • Laramie, WY – City Council reject- programs in New England. He served as ed all bids in November for work on Obituaries the ISI District I Treasurer, on the ISI the mechanical systems, concession World Recreational Team Champs local areas and landscaping at Laramie Ice • Ten-time Swedish national figure organizing committee, and as a charter Arena. The lowest bid was $72,000 skating champion and former White member of the ISI District I Champi- over the architect’s estimate. Bear Lake, MN resident Vivi-Anne onships Committee. He was recognized Hulten died of heart and kidney fail- for his many contributions to the skat- • Greeley, CO – Greeley’s Downtown ure at age 91 on January 15, 2003 in ing world with an ISI District I Merit Development Authority is looking for Corona del Mar, CA. Hulten, known Award. Don was well liked and respected a site to build an ice arena complex as “the Flame of Sweden” during her by coaches, judges, parents and skaters. with retail storefronts. Plans call for competitive years, refused to salute He will be missed. two sheets of NHL-sized ice or a Continued on page 8...

the edge jmarch/april 2003 7 ...Continued from page 7 design that can be expanded to two notice of intent to sue in November • Woonsocket, RI – City officials sheets. $10 million in bond money is 2001. ordered new surveillance equipment to available for the project. monitor River Island’s municipal skat- • Amherst, NY – After Town Board ing rink after vandals repeatedly EAST members approved a measure instruct- slashed the rubberized pipes that carry ing the Finance Director and operators refrigerant chemicals through the cool- • Waterbury, CT – The Brass Mill Cen- of the Pepsi Center to prepare “a true and ing system of the rink. The cost of ter provided indoor ice skating on an accurate profit and loss statement” for repairs, including environmental artificial surface for its second holidays the facility, including all expenses, the cleanup, could run as high as $25,000. season with proceeds benefiting the CT board informally agreed to an increase in Children’s Medical Center. ice fees. Ice fees for residents and non- • Shelton, CT – The Planning & Zon- residents will rise by $5 an hour starting ing Commission has approved concep- • Ebensburg, PA – Construction is with the fall 2003 season and will go up tual plans for a two-tier ice skating rink scheduled on the oft-delayed and an additional $5 an hour each year after proposed by owners of the Golf Center. scaled-down final phase of the $2.4 that for the foreseeable future. Under Each rink will be 200-by-85-feet. Plans million, 29,000-square-foot North Cen- the, to be formally approved, new rate call for a food court, video games and tral Recreation Center. The ice arena, schedule, the hourly rate will rise to $165 four sets of locker rooms. The bottom with locker rooms, a snack bar, equip- for nonresidents and $135 for residents rink will have seating for 600 spectators ment shop, restrooms and a skate to help offset increases in utility costs and the top will have seating for 100. rental area, is expected to open in time and personnel services at the rink. Critics The projected cost for the project is $6- for the fall 2003 hockey season. of the facility contend that as much as $7 million with a target opening date $1 million in annual operating expenses set for September 2003. • Newington, CT – The CT Interna- are being left out of the published finan- tional Skating Center is reportedly cial reports. • Philadelphia, PA – Investors incor- mired in financial woes. The 80,000- porated as York Road Recreation Inc. square-foot, twin rink facility owes over • Harwinton, CT – In December, resi- have converted the Old York Road Skat- $113,000 in back taxes to Newington, dents voted to spend $500,000 on 30 ing Club into a year-round, enclosed which has filed a lien against the prop- acres of land to be used for the con- ice rink with a new name – the Rink at erty, and two lenders are threatening struction of new athletic fields. Other Old York Road. foreclosure on $5 million in mortgages. uses being considered include a walk- A former general manager also filed ing track and ice skating rink. • Stratford, CT – A twin-rink complex

8 the edge march/april 2003 is proposed for the Shelton-Stratford the proposed 270,000-square-foot X- system, a new compressor and more border. Plex sports complex. On December 17, energy-efficient ceiling. the Southington Planning and Zoning • Attleboro, MA – Conceptual plans for Commission granted unanimous • Rome, NY – Planners are discussing revitalizing downtown Attleboro call for approval for a special permit use that whether to renovate Kennedy Arena, a block-long building designed for a would have included four buildings, built in1964 with 900 seats, or to build commuter rail parking garage, bus sta- one to house two in-line skating areas, a new two-surface arena downtown or tion with as many as 88 apartments, one with four indoor soccer/lacrosse at another site. Cost estimates range retail space on the ground floor and an fields, a third with two ice rinks and a from $5 million for a renovation project ice rink and restaurant on the roof. The fourth with a 50-meter swimming pool to $10 million for a new facility. roof top ice arena would be an indoor and fitness center. The developer also facility with a restaurant overlooking the reportedly wants to include rock climb- MIDWEST ice. Architects DMJM Harris of Boston ing and a restaurant. Opponents of X- drew the plans. Funds to level the block Plex contend that a sports complex • East Lansing, MI – “A Night on the and build the garage will come from does not fit the industrially zoned site. Ice” was held a Munn Ice Arena in late grants to the Greater Attleboro Taunton November. The event contributed to a Transit Authority from the U.S. Trans- • Natick, MA – Natick is looking for a food drive sponsored by state and uni- portation Administration. About $3.5 new management company for West versity police departments. People who million in federal money has been made Suburban Arena after the state Appeals contributed to the food drive got two available for the project thus far. Court ruled in the town’s favor in a raffle tickets for various prizes per five-year legal battle with Comets Com- canned food item. The event collected • Washington, PA – The ice rink in munity Youth Center. The Comets about 100 canned goods. Washington Park is to be demolished group, which has been running the and replaced with a $1.2 million recre- arena, sued the town in 1997 for not • Manhattan, KS – The St. Petersburg ation center that will feature indoor renewing a 10-year $1 annual lease. State Ice Ballet, a troupe classically soccer and lacrosse fields and a basket- Town officials say their goal is to shut trained in Russian ballet, performed ball court. the facility down for repairs in the sum- “The Sleeping Beauty” at McCain Audi- mer and have a new manager in place torium on the Kansas State campus on • Southington, CT – A lawsuit was in the fall. Upgrades needed include a December 8. The troupe has a traveling filed in January to stop construction of new ice resurfacer, dehumidification 40-foot by 36-foot ice rink it installed Continued on page 10...

the edge march/april 2003 9 ...Continued from page 9 for the show that features elaborate cos- but a circuit judge appointed a • Kemptville, ON – Three options tumes and hand-painted scenery. receiver for the foreclosed arena west for a multi-purpose sports, recreation of Columbia, allowing the arena to and culture complex costing $8-$14 • remont, NE – A $2 million fund remain open while foreclosure pro- million are slated for public approval drive to build an indoor YMCA ice ceedings continue. Professional skat- in March. The options include new arena is halfway to its goal. The arena is ing star Nicole Bobek brought atten- municipal offices, a library, two ice primarily funded by a $3.8 million tion to the plight of the facility by surfaces and a theater. As of Decem- bequest from the estate of a long-time visiting the ice for pictures and auto- ber, the federal and provincial gov- YMCA supporter. YMCA officials hope graphs while in Columbia with the ernments had committed $3.3 mil- to open the ice arena in late 2003 or Chevy Champions on Ice tour. A lion to the community recreation early 2004. search for a buyer for the two-year- centre, while $600,000 had been old arena is underway. Edward Roth- pledged by the public. NORTHWEST schild, a former hockey player who petitioned lenders for the receiver- • Victoria, BC – Colwood, Langford • Portland, OR – A proposed 7,200- ship, announced plans to promote and Highlands are pursuing plans to square-foot covered ice rink for Pio- the facility, increase community build a new West Shore arena after neer Courthouse Square has sparked involvement and raise money. Metchosin voters voted 927 to 790 to controversy. The rink, to be shielded reject the arena. The West Shore Parks from rain by six upturned umbrellas • Weston, FL – The Florida Panthers and Recreation Society wanted to build that would open and close depend- propose to build an ice arena in a $12.8 million arena with luxury ing on the weather, would stand Weston. Construction could begin boxes to be home for the B.C. Hockey from November to March, would this year. The Panthers plan to model League Victoria Salsa and the Western charge admission and take up 80 per- the Weston arena after their Incredi- Lacrosse Association Victoria Sham- cent of the square’s space that oppo- ble Ice facility in Coral Springs, FL. rocks. With Metchosin out of the pro- nents say was designed as free public posal, the committee has asked the space. Rink advocates have raised CANADA design team to show what can be built more than $4.5 million and assem- in Colwood for $10.7 million. bled a steering committee of power- • Winnipeg, MB – The Vimy Arena ful downtown players. The estimated reopened on November 16 after • Moncton, NB – Councillors are cost to build the rink is $7.9 million being closed due to vandalism in questioning the renovation budget with another $2.4 million needed to October. Vandals broke in, hijacked for the Coliseum-Agrena complex. pay for putting the rink up and tak- the Zamboni machine and rammed it Expansion and renovation costs have ing it down. If approved, the rink into the boards, causing $150,000 in skyrocketed with 2003’s projects would open in 2004. damage. going from a projected $50,000 to $1.8 million and subsequent years • Portland, OR – Clackamas Town • St. Catharines, ON – Political sup- showing substantially increased pro- Center has reduced its public skating port for a four-pad arena wavered in jections for a total of more than $5 hours on weekdays in order to reduce December when city councillors million through 2007. Upgrades to costs. The ice arena opens at 2:00 refused to hire an architect and the Coliseum include replacing the p.m. instead of 8:00 a.m. Monday directed staff to investigate a twin- temporary floor that covers the ice through Friday. The rink offers three pad option. The Council approved during trade shows and repairs to the early morning sessions a week for borrowing $17 million for the pro- ice compressor. skaters in training. Rink Manage- posed four-sheet facility over a year ment of Virginia has been operating ago. • Sydney, NS – Some Northside resi- the business on a temporary basis for dents are questioning the scale and over a year and is negotiating a long- • Moncton, NB – The new Tim Hor- cost of the proposed Millennium term contract. tons 4-Ice Centre, that opened last Sportsplex. Opinions vary as to October, is being looked at by officials whether or not a multi-purpose from Kennebecasis Valley to see if a sportsplex is the answer to the woes SOUTH similar giant sportsplex might serve the facing their aging facility or whether Valley. Tim Hortons 4-Ice Centre has a downtown ice arena would better • Ocala, FL – The new Taylor, Bean four NHL-sized ice surfaces, 22 dressing serve the community. Cost estimates & Whitaker Ice Skating Rink in rooms, a sporting goods store, a 300- for the proposed sportsplex range downtown Ocala was a tremendous seat restaurant, a Tim Hortons kiosk from $9.5 million to $14.5 million. success during the recent holidays and a meetings hall. One of the rinks season. The rink opened on Novem- has 1,500 stadium seats and the others Editor’s Note: “CrossCuts” is com- ber 23 with 1,000 skaters and had each have bleacher seating for 150 piled from press releases and pub- over 5,000 visitors during its first two spectators. The new arena replaces two lished reports. Submit information weeks. The 4,500-square-foot tempo- of Moncton’s three aging community to Editor, ISI EDGE, 17120 N Dal- rary facility drew as many onlookers rinks. Construction on the facility was as participants of all ages. privately funded and a contract las Pkwy, Suite 140, Dallas, TX requires that the city’s subsidy for the 75248-1187; fax to 972-735- • Irmo, SC – Ice Land USA was next 20 years will not exceed $1.4 mil- 8815; e-mail to [email protected]. scheduled to close in early January lion annually. 10 the edge march/april 2003

MOLD: New Dimension to an Old Problem by Albert Tyldesley, Chair ISI Safety Committee

t is with a sense of regret and perhaps anger that we professional cleaning. Several private homes have been acknowledge that air quality problems from carbon declared total losses due to mold and have been torn down. Imonoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) continue to Some insurance policies specifically exclude mold damage effect ice arenas. Recent air quality incidents in arenas in from coverage. Pennsylvania and Georgia were reported in the press and investigated by OSHA. In both cases, public statements by The mold problem is a sleeping giant that is slowly receiv- arena personnel and customers effected by the air demon- ing publicity. Your local newspaper and television sta- strated a shocking lack of knowledge. After almost 10 years tions have probably covered a mold story. Professional of concentrated instruction and education on how and publications such as Indoor Environment report story after why it is necessary to have an air quality maintenance pro- story on buildings plagued with mold. USA Weekend Mag- gram in every ice arena, we are still suffering from embar- azine recently published a feature on “Mold’s Untold rassing incidents. Damage,” and a Boston Globe story from September 2002 got our attention with the caption: “Mold Looms as While our industry has unfinished business with CO and Potential Hazard.” NO2, we must begin a new round of education with a differ- ent air quality problem – MOLD. Mold and the affect it has TV stations in several sections of the U.S. have done stories on our health is a major problem. Schools, office buildings on how mold ruined the health and lifestyle of families fol- and private homes have suffered mold conditions that lowed by film of their house being destroyed because mold required shutting the buildings down for very expensive, could not be removed. The public is becoming aware of the

12 the edge march/april 2003 mold problem and sooner or later ice arenas will be identified Ice Arena Institute of Management (iAIM) faculty, has pre- as the perfect environment in which mold will and does pared an introductory class on combating mold in ice are- grow. nas. This session on mold at the ISI Conference may be your best path to understanding the problem. Look for a The moisture, warm temperatures and organic materials follow-up article on mold treatment and removal in a needed to allow mold to grow are found in many areas of ice future issue of the EDGE. arenas. Locker rooms, snack bars and restrooms can and do support mold growth. Under rubber mats, behind walls and under appliances such as refrigerators and stoves are areas that allow mold to grow.

Highly supportive of mold growth is the area between the arena’s roof and the insulation. This area in ice arenas is frequently damp and warm and has a supply of material for mold to grow on from natural products already in the ceiling to material found in water run-off from leaks in the roof. The areas around your players’ benches, music booth Bronze Certification and inside your dasher boards also provide the perfect environment for mold. Test Online

EPA guidelines suggest that mold should not be touched with Judges can now log on to www.skateisi.org to bare hands; do not breath in mold; do not get mold spores access and take the Bronze Certification test. Log in your eyes; and wear personal protection equipment on. Supply a credit card number. Download and including gloves, eye protection and a respirator when deal- print the test and answer sheet. Take the test and ing with mold. fax or mail the answer sheet and identification form to ISI to quickly, easily and efficiently The Ice Skating Institute will offer a presentation on “Mold update your judging credentials. a Growing Issue” at its 2003 Conference in May. Todd Bradley from Concepts and Designs and a member of the

the edge march/april 2003 13 Commercial General Liability Part 2 by Charles H. Cox

he ISO Commercial General Lia- when evaluating CGL coverage for ice icy’s broadest features is that it covers bility policy, like all other insur- arenas. One of the most restrictive all operations and locations. Yet some Tance policies, requires careful exclusionary endorsements that can be insurers will eliminate one or both of analysis. As shown in the last article on imposed on an ice arena owner/opera- these features by restricting coverage to CGL coverage, not all exclusions are tor is the “Athletic or Sports Partici- a specific location(s) or specific activi- found in the exclusions section of the pants Exclusion.” The endorsement ties. For example, when a county- or policy. On the other hand, one of the amends the policy so that it does not town-owned ice arena is insured sepa- CGL policy’s exclusions, by an excep- apply to bodily injury to any person rately from the other operations of the tion thereto, actually grants one of the while practicing for or participating in county or town, the ice arena insurer policy’s most important coverages, any sports or athletic contest or exhibi- will want to avoid picking up coverage Contractual Liability. tion that you sponsor. Clearly, such an for other county or town locations and exclusion will severely restrict the cov- will often restrict coverage to the ice Contractual Liability, assumption of erage afforded and should be avoided. arena location. Care must be taken, the liability of another in a contract or It is also important to be sure that the however, to be sure that operations agreement, is excluded, subject to two CGL coverage maintained by outside incidental to the ice arena that take very important exceptions. The exclu- organizations using your ice arena not place away from the arena’s location sion does not apply to liability for be subject to this exclusion. are still insured. damages that the insured would have in the absence of the contract or Ice arenas offering ice skating lessons, Exclusions for certain activities are even agreement nor does it apply to liabil- hockey schools or any other activity more troubling and may actually neces- ity assumed under an “Insured Con- where children are being taught or sitate the purchase of a separate CGL tract.” It is the defined policy term, supervised by adults face the potential policy. In such cases, obtaining cover- “Insured Contract,” that defines the for claims or suits alleging abuse or age from one insurer willing to cover all CGL policy’s scope of Contractual Lia- molestation. Not surprisingly, insur- operations is strongly recommended. bility coverage. ance companies looking to avoid these claims, frequently attach Abuse or Although injury waivers are commonly The definition of “Insured contract” Molestation exclusions to CGL poli- used by ice arenas and are understand- is fairly clear. Easily lost in the analy- cies. Often, these exclusions not only ably desired by insurance companies sis of this coverage, however, is the apply to bodily injury arising out of insuring ice arenas, the coverage grant- fact that only liability for bodily injury actual or threatened abuse or molesta- ed by the CGL policy should not be or property damage assumed under a tion by anyone or any person while in conditioned upon the arena contract is covered. Personal Injury the care, custody or control of any owner/operator obtaining a waiver or assumed under a contract is not insured, but they also preclude cover- release from participants/arena users. included in the definition of “Insured age for claims involving the negligent contract” and, in fact, is specifically employment, investigation, supervi- Although the unendorsed CGL policy excluded under Coverage B, Personal sion, reporting to the proper authori- is fairly broad, endorsed exclusions and Injury and Advertising Injury Liabili- ties, or failure to so report, or retention limitations often take away important ty. This can pose a problem since of a person who perpetrated such an coverages. All endorsed exclusions or drafters of contracts often use the act for whom any insured is or ever limitations should be reviewed careful- terms “personal injury” and “bodily was legally responsible. These types of ly since not all insurers will require the injury” interchangeably. Care must be exclusions can have a far-reaching same endorsements. When looking at taken to avoid the use of “personal impact, but cannot always be avoided. more than one proposal for CGL cov- injury” when listing the types of dam- In some cases, separate coverage can erage, understand that the least expen- ages or injuries for which indemnifi- and should be purchased. sive one may very well provide the least cation is being sought in contracts. amount of coverage. Other coverage restrictions to be con- Now that we’ve taken a look at some of cerned about include exclusions for * Charles H. Cox is President of Aldrich & the basic aspects of the CGL policy, specified activities or specified loca- Cox, an independent risk management and we’ll turn our attention to some of the tions. As mentioned in the last article employee benefit consulting company in more important issues to watch for on CGL coverage, one of the CGL pol- Buffalo, NY. 14 the edge march/april 2003 the edge jmarch/april 2003 15 Coaches Corner by Lynn Roseberry National Events Coordinator and Skating Program Director

ISI 2003 Winter Classic extended through Sunday morning. Wrap Up You will be notified shortly after the entry deadline with a notice on our The 18th annual ISI Winter website: www.skateisi.org, if the Classic, held at Disney ICE in event is extended another day. Anaheim, CA, set a Winter Classic attendance record. More All Synchronized Skating teams than 1,800 skaters participated will skate two rounds. The first in this enormous event, which round will be grouped by age and was a perfect kickoff of the 2003 team size. Teams placing in the top ISI Competition Season! Led by three will advance to the Premier local event chair, John Saitta Round of the competition in the same from Disney ICE and Wendy age category (not necessarily the same Lynn Roseberry Mortenson from Yorba Linda Ice team size). Teams placing fourth and lower will advance Palace, the enthusiastic staff and to the Select Round of the competition in the same age volunteers’ time and efforts made this event a tremen- category (not necessarily the same team size). Awards will dous success. Competitors experienced the thrill of com- be given for both rounds with On-Ice Awards for Final peting against skaters from 67 arenas and skating schools, Rounds only. including ones from Mexico and the Philippines. Practice ice is not included with the entry fee for On Sunday, following the 40 syn- Synchronized Skating Teams since they will skate twice dur- chronized teams’ competition, the ing this event. Synchronized Skating Teams need to reserve top five final overall team stand- and pay for an official practice session. Synchronized ings were announced and the Formation, Synchronized Dance, Synchronized Formation new ISI Winter Classic Compulsories, and Synchronized Skating Compulsories Champion was proclaimed as will receive a 15-minute practice ice session with their Disney ICE with 211 skater par- entry fee. All of these teams will only compete once. ticipants. Congratulations to Team coaches may indicate on their entry form whether the Disney ICE skaters as well as they will use or purchase their ice time. An official prac- to all other participating teams. A tice ice form will be posted on our website following the special thank you to the referees, entry deadline. judges, volunteers, coaches and skaters who made this event such a suc- Information regarding this event will be sent to partici- cess! pating teams in late February. In addition, be sure to check our website for any updates pertinent to this event. See page 29 for ISI Winter Classic Results. ****Reminder: Team skater’s age is as of July 1, 2002.****

ISI Synchronized Skating Championships See you in Chicago!

The 7th annual ISI Synchronized Skating Championships will take us back to the city where it all began…Chicago! ISI World Recreational Team Championships The ISI is very excited about the continued growth in par- ticipation at this event, which is scheduled this year for ISI’s World Recreational April 11-13, at the Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park, IL. We Team Championships will are looking forward to seeing both new and familiar faces be held July 28-August 2, at this increasingly popular event! 2003 at the Northbrook Park District Sports As in the past few years, we will have all ice surfaces con- Center, Twin Rinks Ice veniently under one roof. The competition is expected to Pavilion and Glenview Ice take place on Saturday, April 12th with practice ice begin- Center in Chicago. Plan ning the afternoon of April 11th. However, in the event now to attend this always of an overwhelmingly large response, the event may be exciting, spectacular event. The entry deadline is May 1.

16 the edge march/april 2003 HOTELS Synchronized Championships Hotels: ISI Launches Holiday Inn – Matteson Raddison Hotel 500 Holiday Plaza Dr. 5000 W 127th St. Matteson IL 60443 Alsip IL 60803 Strategic Campaign 708-747-3500 708-272-4210 Contact: Debbie $80 n meetings over many months, the ISI Strategic $79 Planning Committee, chaired by ISI 2nd Vice AmeriSuites President Gerry Hart, has devised a plan to Hampton Inn 2340 S Fountain Square Dr. I increase membership in the Ice Skating Institute. With 18501 N Creek Dr. Lombard IL 60142 the recommendation of the Strategic Planning Tinley Park IL 60477 630-932-6501 708-633-0602 Contact: Jennifer Stirsman Committee, ISI Board Member Andy Deyo has been Contact: Angela Milburn $72 selected to lead an aggressive administrative member- $80 ship campaign drive.

* Rates are for doubles, kings and suites (where applicable). “I look forward to leading this campaign and to work- Mention ISI when making reservations to get group rates. ing with all of ISI’s constituents to successfully market the benefits of ISI membership,” said Deyo. “We believe the Institute has much to offer and that it is World CHAMPS Hotels our responsibility to share the wealth of talent and information assembled over ISI’s 40+ year history.” Reservations for Worlds hotels may be made through Marriott Reservations at 1-800-228-9290 or directly with the properties “We are excited about the potential of this project to listed. Groups booking 30 or more rooms must contact the contribute to the continued growth and success of individual hotel directly. ISI,” said President Jim Lange. “This is a proactive Marriott Lincolnshire Resort Renaissance North Shore approach to servicing our constituencies and I urge ISI 10 Marriott Dr. 933 Skokie Blvd. Board members, committee members, iAIM graduates Lincolnshire IL 60069 Northbrook IL 60062 and friends of ISI to contribute to this worthwhile 847-634-0100 847-498-6500 effort. It is our goal to offer ISI’s outstanding programs $102 $102 and services to every ice arena in the country.”

Lincolnshire Courtyard by Highland Park Courtyard by The mission of the Ice Skating Institute, an interna- Marriott Marriott tional trade association encompassing all aspects of 505 Milwaukee Ave. 1505 Lake Cook Rd. the ice skating industry, is to provide education, lead- Lincolnshire IL 60069 Highland Park IL 60035 ership and services and to promote ice skating as a 847-634-9555 847-831-3338 $89 $89 participant sport and recreation. The goals of the Institute are to provide information for the develop- Lincolnshire SpringHill Suites Hilton Northbrook ment, construction and operation of ice skating are- by Marriott 2855 N Milwaukee Ave. nas. Over more than 40 years, ISI has become the 300 Marriott Dr. Northbrook IL 60062 industry trade association for progressive ice skating Lincolnshire IL 60069 847-480-7500 facilities, mangers and coaching professionals. 847-793-7500 $89 (singe, double, triple, $94 quad) During the last 10 years, ISI has introduced an array of new programs and services to benefit the ice arena Marriott Suites Deerfield Adam’s Mark Chicago- industry, including: 2 Parkway North Northbrook • Ice Arena Institute of Management Deerfield IL 60015 2875 N. Milwaukee Ave. (iAIM education and certification program) 847-405-9666 Northbrook IL 60062 $102 800-444-2326 • ISI Recreational Hockey Program 847-298-2525 • ISI Adult Championships Deerfield Courtyard by $75 (single, double, triple, • ISI Synchronized Skating Championships Marriott quad) • Free ISI Instructor and Manager Seminars and 800 Lake Cook Rd. $149 (Junior King, Junior Manuals Deerfield IL 60015 Queen) • ISI Judges Certification Program 847-940-8222 $89 ISI Administrative membership has increased more than 40% since 1995, an impressive percentage that reflects Glenview Courtyard by the growing recognition of the benefits and values pro- Marriott vided by ISI. As Administrative memberships continue 1801 N Milwaukee Ave. to grow so will Associate and Individual memberships, Glenview IL 60025 along with the strength of the Institute and its ability to 847-803-2500 $89 serve the ice arena industry. the edge march/april 2003 17 CALENDAR ISI ENDORSED COMPETITIONS, SHOWS/EXHIBITIONS (Due to printing deadlines, events endorsed by ISI after February 5, 2003 are not listed.)

27 Ice Center @ San Mateo 30-9/1 Kendall Ice Arena March 2003 Competition April 2003 Competition San Mateo CA Miami FL 13-16 Glenview Ice Center 3-6 Sprinker Recreation Center April Ambush 3rd Annual ISI Labor Glenview IL Tacoma WA Day Challenge 23rd Annual ISI Dist 8 16th Annual ISI Spring Team Champs Fever Competition May 2003 Competition 14-6 Mt. View Ice Arena 4-6 JP Igloo 2-4/ Dr Pepper StarCenter September 2003 Competition Vancouver WA Ellenton FL Duncanville TX Mt. View 4th Annual ISI ISI Team Championship 2003 ISI District 11 Open 2003 Championships 14-15 Capitol Gateway East Ice 4-6 Charles Moore Arena 3-4 Glacial Garden Skating Pavilion Orleans MA Arena Des Moines IA 25th ISI Lower Cape Lakewood CA Iowa Games Team Competition 7th Annual ISI Open 14-16 The Ice Box 5-6 Saratoga Springs FSC 16-18 Ice Town Pittston PA Saratoga Springs NY Riverside CA The Shamrock Open 6th Annual Saratoga Springfest - 2nd Annual 12-14 Charles Moore Arena 15 Incredible Ice Springs Invitational ISI Open Orleans MA Coral Springs FL 5-6 Soldotna Sports Center 1718 Sharper Edge Skating 2003 ISI Adult “Incredible Challenge Soldotna AK School Championships 2003” Riverskate 2003 Acton MA 7th Annual 15 Dublin Iceland 5-6 William G Mennen “Skater’s Cup” Dublin OH Arena 31-6/1 Richmond Ice Zone November 2003 Competition Irish Sweepskate Morris Plains NJ Richmond VA 25-26 Winterland Skating 16 Herbert Wells Ice Rink Crystal Blades Annual 2003 Spring Splash School College Park MD Team Competition Hingham MA Spring Inter-Rink 5-6 Iceoplex Panorama City 17th Annual Halloween Competition Panorama City CA June 2003 Competition Classic 21-23 Eddie Edgar 1st Annual Iceoplex 1 Hagerstown Ice & Sports Livonia MI Panorama City Open Complex Livonia ISI Open Competition Hagerstown, MD March 2003 Shows/Exhibitions Competition 5-6 Cabin John Ice Rink Annual Open ISI 13-16 Ridgeland Common 21-23 Galleria Ice Skating Rockville MD Competition Oak Park IL Center ISI District IV 6-8 Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers Ice Theatre 2003 - Dallas TX Championships New York NY Bon Voyage 19th Annual State of 6 Ice Center of Cupertino 17th Annual Sky Rink 14-15 Aple Valley Sports Center Texas ISI Team Cupertino CA Team Competition Apple Valley MN Competition Reflections on Ice 21-22 McFetridge Sports Center Ice Follies 22 Arctic Ice Arena 11-12 The Ice Park Chicago IL 14 St Mary’s Point Skating Orland Park IL Flowood MS School’s Out School Follow Your Heart Magnolia Classic Competition St Paul MN 22 The Forum at Fishers Ice 21-22 SkateQuest of Prince Spring Spectacular 2003 Arena William 15 Blue Mound Ice Arena Fishers IN Dale City VA Luverne MN Circle City Invitational Blades of Summer 2003 Annual Ice Show 2003 27-29 Sun Blades Ice Arena 15 Ice Time Sports Complex 22 Meadville FSC Clearwater FL Newburgh NY Meadville PA Sun Blades 17th Annual 1st Annual Learn to Meadville 4th Annual ISI ISI Championships Skate Ice Show Team Competition 28-29 YBIS&BC 15 Ebersole Ice Rink 22 Ice Oasis San Francisco CA White Plains NY Redwood City CA Golden Gate Skate 2003 Exhibition Night Spring Fling at the Oasis 11-13 Artic Ice Arena 16 North County 22 International Skating Orland Park IL Recreation Complex Center of CT 2003 ISI July 2003 Competition St Louis MO Simsbury CT Synchronized 4-6 Ice Center @ San Mateo Skate The States 5th Annual Spring Fling Skating San Mateo CA 21-22 Inwood Ice Arena 23 Eastridge Ice Arena Championships West Coast Joliet IL San Jose CA Championships That 80s Show March In House 18-19 Fox Valley Ice Arena 12-13 Glacial Garden Skating 28-29 Monroe Multi-Sports Championship Geneva IL Arena Complex 28-30 Ice Chalet Knoxville TN Spring Invitational Anaheim CA Monroe MI 34th Annual Mississippi 25-27 US Ice Sports Complex 9th Annual ISI Open Reaching for the Stars Valley Dist. Comp. Fairview Heights IL 2003 28-30 Line Creek 2nd Annual Spring Fling 28-30 Zion Ice Arena Kansas City MO 26 Center Ice Arena Zion IL District 9 Delmont PA Zion Annual Ice Show Championships “Golden Blades 28-30 Pineville Ice House 29-30 City Ice Sports Championship of Pineville NC Flushing NY Pittsburgh” Rockn’ in the USA 22nd Annual World’s 26-27 Nashoba Valley 29-30 Ebersole Ice Rink Fair ISI Team Competition Acton MA White Plains NY 29 Medford Ice Rink Annual Team Competition 28-8/2 Northbrook Park End of the Year Show Medford OR 26-27 Pepsi Ice Midwest District 30 George S DeArment Ice Medford Ice Rink Skating Overland Park KS Sports Center/Twin Arena Competition Midwest Odyssey Rinks Ice Pavilion, Meadville PA 30 Park District of Franklin 26-27 Pasadena Ice Skating Inc./Glenview Ice Capture a Memory on Ice Park Center Center Franklin Park IL Pasadena CA Chicago, IL KICKline Synchronized 19th Annual ISI Open 2003 ISI World Competition Competition Recreational Team Championships 18 the edge march/april 2003 13 Centennial Ice Arena- 3 Berkeley Iceland April 2003 Shows/Exhibitions Highland Park Berkeley CA June 2003 Shows/Exhibitions 1-5 Aerodrome-Willowbrook Highland Park IL “Blast From The Past” 6-7 Arctic Ice Arena Houston TX Centennial Ice Arena’s 4 Hagerstown Ice & Sports Orland Park IL Figure Skating Spring Exhibition Hagerstown, MD TV Time Exhibition 19 Norwich Municipal Ice Spring Ice Show 8 Cumberland YMCA 1 Easy Street Ice Arena Rink Featuring Sensation Cumberland MD Simi Valley CA Norwich CT Brian Orser YMCA Anniversary Ice Spring Fling Skate Into Spring 9-11 Northbrook Sports Center Show 4-5 Cottage Grove Ice Arena 25-27 McFetridge Sports Center Northbrook IL 14-15 The Edge Ice Arena Cottage Grove IL Chicago IL Northbrook on Ice Bensenville IL Tribute to Broadway Bach To Rock Ice Review 14-18 Glenview Ice Center 5th Annual Ice Show 4-6 Dan Kostel Recreation 25-27 Mount Clemens Ice Glenview IL Center Arena Reflections on Ice - A Garfield Heights IL Mount Clemens MI Tribute to 30 Years September 2003 Shows/Exhibitions Around the World in a Day Tapestry of Nations 15-16 Wayne C Kennedy 13 Park District of Franklin 5 Eagan Civic Arena 25-27 Roseville Skating Center Recreation Complex Park Eagan MN Roseville MN St Louis MO Franklin Park IL Extra, Extra “Everything’s Coming 27th Annual Ice Revue Open House 6 Sharper Edge Skating Up Roseville” 16-18 Centennial Ice Arena - School 26 Brett Memorial Ice Arena Highland Park Acton MA Wasilla AK Highland Park IL December 2003 Shows/Exhibitions The Sharper Edge Spring Show The Centennial Music 2-4 Ice Chalet Extravaganza Awards 2003 Knoxville TN 10-13 Cook Ice Arena 16-18 Centennial Ice Rinks The Nutcracker on Ice Coon Rapids MN May 2003 Shows/Exhibitions Wilmette IL XVI The Fourteenth Annual 2-4 Pettit National Ice Center “SK8-Way to Broadway” 6-7 Park District of Franklin Ice Fantasy Milwaukee WI 16-18 Niles Park District Iceland Park 12-13 Polar Dome Ice Arena Milwaukee on Ice Niles IL Franklin Park IL Dundee Il 2-4 Southwest Ice Arena Skate Safari Holiday Recital And the Winner Is… Crestwood IL 16-18 Park District of Franklin 31 Easy Street Ice Arena 12 Winterland Skating “American Bandstand” Park Simi Valley CA School 2-4 Wayne Community Franklin Park IL Winter Ice Show Hingham MA Center Spring Ice Show Proud to be… Wayne MI 16-17 Aerodrome-Willowbrook 12-13 Birmingham Ice Sports Wayne’s 28th Annual Houston TX Arena Silver Picks “Platforms & Polyester, For additional Birmingham MI Presents…”American Disco on Ice” calendar information, A Night on the Town Idols” 16-17 Redford Ice Arena 13 Iceoplex Fremont 3 Golden Blades FSC Redford MI check ISI’s fabulous Fremont CA Mansfield MA Redford Spins Motown NEW website at 9th Annual Open “Gotta Dance, Gotta 17-18 Grand Oaks Ice Arena www.skateisi.org Competition Skate” Howell MI 3 New Hope Ice Arena While we were sleeping… New Hope MN “Premiere Night”

the edge march/april 2003 19 Employee Training: Investment in Human Resources by Peter Martell

ust as an investment of capital is required to build a facil- malizes in writing everything from the vision and mis- ity and open a business, so is an investment in human sion of the business to the policies, procedures and meth- Jresources required to professionally operate a business. ods utilized in every facet of the operation. All manage- This investment in human resources is called training – and ment personnel should be thoroughly familiar with the the amount of time, effort and expense invested in employee Policies and Procedures Manual and should utilize it during training will often determine not only the attitude and ability the training of others. of the employees performing their jobs but also the quality of programs, services and facilities experienced by patrons. While one of the purposes of a formal Policies and Proce- dures Manual is to provide and ensure consistency in the It is the responsibility of the facility manager to see that all facility’s methods of operation, it should not remain stag- employees are properly trained. A manager can only feel con- nant but should be revised regularly to reflect changes fident in the staff’s ability to perform their jobs by first hir- and improvements in operating policies or procedures. ing the right people and secondly training them in the knowledge and ability to perform their jobs properly. • Training Manual – In addition to a Policies and Proce- dures Manual, many businesses utilize a Training Manual Every employee should feel that he or she is working with the (or series of training manuals) for specific departments or manager and other staff members and that no job or position jobs. Usually these tend to be more task and skill specif- is more important than another. The manager must be able to ic, outlining proper methods and procedures for per- convey interest in and care about the positions and perfor- forming specific functions as opposed to general policies. mances of all staff members. Employee performance and Such manuals usually begin by identifying the skill(s) to morale are often directly proportional to the ability of the man- be learned, followed by some method for evaluation of ager to motivate, communicate with, and work alongside fel- the employee’s progress. In some cases (such as ice resur- low staff members. A good manager will be careful not to intim- facers), there are excellent training materials provided by idate employees as a means to accomplishing anything. Man- the manufacturers of equipment required to perform cer- agement is the art of getting things done with people. Usually, tain tasks. In such cases, these manuals should be used as managers will gain more respect and cooperation by asking a resource during the training process. In addition, espe- employees to do something rather than commanding them. cially where certain tools or equipment are required (such as an ice edger, skate sharpening machine, ice resurfacer, It is human nature to want to learn. However, people can- or POS system) a formal written record of the training not be forced to learn. Sometimes they must first be con- process and skill mastery should be completed and kept vinced “how” to do something and then to actually do it. in the employee’s personnel file. Sometimes when staff members fail to perform up to expec- tations it is the fault of management because: • Staff Meetings – Regular staff meetings should be part a. Employees don’t know what is expected of them. of every facility’s training program. Meetings should not b. They don’t know how to perform the tasks required. be long or tedious but rather brief, interactive and infor- c. They are, in some way, prevented from doing their job. mative. Meetings can cover a variety of subjects or one d. They lack the proper initiative. specific topic. A written record of all staff meetings should be kept in the company’s personnel files. Management needs to constantly evaluate the facility’s over- all operation to identify problem areas or employees who • Audio-Visual Instruction – With advancements in require additional training. Reviewing staff competencies technology, many jobs can be taught with the aid of during formal performance evaluations may also identify video, compact disc or internet-based instructional pro- staff or management deficiencies in the training process. grams. Such tools are particularly helpful for people who are visual as opposed to auditory learners. Such Every facility needs to have a formal training program for its tools are especially useful as they can be loaned to employees. Training should begin at the top with management employees to view or listen to independently – saving and supervisory personnel. Once members of management are time and money required for on-the-job training. Many properly trained in their respective areas of responsibility (or equipment manufacturers supply training videos or multiple areas) they will be able to conduct or supervise the CDs on the correct methods of operation and mainte- training of others. In order to conduct a training program, a nance of their equipment. variety of tools are required in addition to human resources. Among those tools or materials frequently used are: • Professional Training – Outside professional training is beneficial and rewarding for both the employee and • Policies and Procedures Manual – Every facility employer. While an investment of time and money is should develop a Policies and Procedures Manual that for- required, the employee will almost always acquire some 20 the edge march/april 2003 knowledge or techniques that he or she would not have * Peter Martell, CAM, CAO, CAP, is the Executive Director of the learned on the job and invariably they will return to work Ice Skating Institute and an instructor for the Ice Arena Institute more enthusiastic, invigorated and motivated than before. of Management. The next iAIM school will be held October 12-17, The fact that the employer valued and cared enough abut 2003 at the Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling, employees to send them to such a program also helps to WV. Contact ISI at 972-735-8800 for more information or check develop a sense of loyalty and appreciation on the part of the website www.skateisi.org. the employees. Facilities should always budget some money for personnel development annually.

While each staff member needs to learn the skills specific to his/her area of responsibility, it is also advisable for staff members to be cross-trained in several different areas. This will greatly enhance the flexibility and efficiency with which the manager can schedule and operate the facility. Since cross-training is valuable and cost-effective, many compa- nies reward employees for mastering additional skills with a Judges Pass small bonus or increase in pay. Certification Update Test Another benefit of cross-training is that it promotes teamwork, which should be an objective of every manager. Just like any Congratulations to the following ISI Bronze, Silver athletic team, the collective efforts of the entire staff will far and Gold judges who passed their certification outperform the singular efforts of individual staff members. update test as of February 4, 2003:

Conclusion: Orientation and training of employees is crit- Kathryn Bjorkstrand ically important if a facility is to provide the quality of pro- Shannon Caudill grams and services necessary to be successful. Arena owners and operators who invest millions of dollars in land, equip- Tisha Green ment and facilities but try to save on time, effort and money Michelle Millikan-Wilkin required to properly orient and train staff are “penny wise Lauri Varvais and pound foolish.”

the edge march/april 2003 21 Building Character through Sports by Jim Thompson Positive Coaching Alliance Sports can teach life lessons and develop positive character traits.

outh sports is under assault by a “win-at-all-costs” tools that business leaders use to create a strong culture mentality that has filtered down via saturation aimed at making a profit can be adapted for use by lead- Ymarketing and media exposure from the profes- ers in youth sports organizations. These tools can be sional sports entertainment business. Youth sports, which used to create a strong positive culture focused on pro- should be seen as an integral part of the educational expe- viding children a wonderful educational experience, a rience of young people, more and more resembles the culture in which “Honoring the Game” is the norm. worst aspects of professional sports. Even though most youth sports organizations have no High-profile cases such as the “Hockey Dad” case in Mass- full-time administrators, youth sports organizations achusetts are only the tip of the iceberg. Virtually everyone working with the Positive Coaching Alliance have involved with youth sports has seen examples of adult mis- demonstrated that volunteer leaders and board members behavior at youth sports events. can apply the lessons of organizational culture to create and maintain a positive culture. When children quit sports because of experiences with negative coaching or parental pressure, the negative The first step in creating a culture of Honoring the impact can be life long. Children who participate in sports Game is to “set the table” by making it absolutely clear are more likely to be physically active throughout life with what behavior is expected of parents, coaches and play- accompanying long-term health benefits. Lessons learned ers. The technique of “message bombardment” is used from sports about such things as teamwork and resilience to make sure that members of the organization receive in the face of failure prepare people for success in their the message in many different ways, again and again, so careers long after their youth sport experience has ended. that there is no doubt about what the organization’s val- ues are. This will drastically reduce the number of times It is important to be clear about the cause of the problems that individuals will act in ways that violate the norms with youth sports. Competition is not the problem. Want- of the culture, because most of us are “pack animals” ing to win is not the problem. The problem is a win-at-all- who try to do what is expected of us when we know cost mentality, which causes people to become negative, what that is. resort to cheating and “bending” the rules, and misbehave on the sidelines to try to give their team an advantage. However, even when an organization does a good job of setting and communicating expectations, there will be Two key ideas essential to creating a solution to the prob- individuals who will step over the line and act in a way lems of youth sports is facing our “organizational culture” that dishonors the game. There is so much emotion and and the “mental model” of what it means to be a good so much seemingly “at stake” when our own flesh-and- coach. blood children are competing in sports that it is inevitable that adult misbehavior will occur from time to time. When Organizational culture is simply “the way we do things this happens, there must be an intervention to let the per- here.” Different organizations have different ways of son who is misbehaving know that this is not acceptable doing things, even if they are in the same industry sell- behavior, or the culture will begin to degrade at that ing the same kinds of products. Many business leaders moment. “Moral courage” is required by leaders, coaches have become adept at creating a strong organizational and parents to speak up for a positive culture to those who culture that helps the organization achieve its goals. The would dishonor it. 22 the edge march/april 2003 Finally, the organization needs to establish “structural pillars” that will maintain the culture over time, so that when the leaders who established the culture have left the organization, the culture remains strong. The won- derful thing about organizational culture is that it can Suggested Ice have an impact on the behavior of the organization’s members even if they don’t all agree with it.

The second big idea in establishing a positive culture in Arena Operator a youth sports organization is that to effectively change an organization, you need to get inside the heads of the people in the organization and change their “mental Maintenance models.” A mental model can be thought of as an inter- nalized job description that sometimes is not well understood by the person who holds that model in his or her head, even as it largely controls his or her actions. Schedule

The current mental model of coaching in this society is win-at-all-cost, often even at the youngest levels of Daily: Check List sports. It is harder to eliminate a bad model without • Suction pressure something better to replace it. Positive Coaching • Discharge pressure Alliance has developed a model called the “Double-Goal • Discharge temperature Coach” to displace the existing mental model. Our Dou- • Oil pressure ble-Goal Coach model is based on a large body of • Oil level research from sport psychology, moral education and • Refrigerant level other disciplines. • Brine pressure • Brine temperature Mental models are incredibly powerful. They control • Brine level how people think, how they behave and even what they • Cooling water temperature and see (or fail to see). A coach with a win-at-all-cost model flow in his or her head will often miss the chance to teach a • Sound level of equipment life lesson when the opportunity is staring one right in • Clean up all brine or oil spills. the face. For example, it is hard to learn to bounce back from defeat when one never loses. So a tough loss can be Monthly: a “teachable moment” for a coach who never loses sight • Drain oil from chiller. of the second goal. But a win-at-all-cost coach might • Work all brine valves. totally miss this opportunity because of a fixation on • Scrape and prime any rusting the result on the scoreboard. surfaces. • Check condenser spray nozzles. A Double-Goal Coach wants to win (goal #1) but has • Check all belts. another, even more important goal – to use sports to • Grease bearings per manufacturer’s teach life lessons and develop positive character traits specifications. in the players he or she coaches. Positive Coaching Alliance has a large base of experience in training thou- sands of coaches in this new model over the last four Annually: years with great success. When coaches see that building • Change compressor oil and clean character and teaching life lessons is compatible with crankcases. winning, they readily embrace this way of coaching. • Inspect compressors as required. • Clean compressor oil cooler. Positive Coaching Alliance has the goal of fomenting a • Clean condenser sump. “social epidemic” of Positive Coaching to roll across the • Check and clean condenser tube country (and beyond!) so that every young athlete can bundle. have a positive educational experience with sports. This • Seal any condenser leaks. goal can be reached if youth sports organization leaders • Inspect and paint headers as begin to establish, enforce and maintain a strong posi- required. tive organizational culture within their own spheres of • Have brine analysis done. influence. It can be done if WE make the commitment • Tighten all electrical and check to do it and begin today. contacts.

* Jim Thompson is the founder of Positive Coaching * Reprinted from iAIM Arena Operations Refriger- Alliance, a movement of parents, coaches and youth sports ation Maintenance Course, courtesy of Art Suther- organizations dedicated to “transforming youth sports so land, President of Accent Refrigeration Systems. sports can transform youth.” The PCA website is www.pos- itivecoach.org. the edge march/april 2003 23 Executive Level Courses Offered by Dianne Powell

he first Ice Arena Institute of Management (iAIM) The next iAIM school offering courses in Programming, executive level courses will be offered on Monday, Management and Operations will be held October 12-17, TMay 26 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV, prior 2003 at the Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in to the opening of the 2003 ISI Conference and Trade Wheeling, WV. Additional CAE courses will also be Show. iAIM students and graduates of any or all of iAIM’s offered. three tracks (Programming, Operations, Management) can earn credits toward becoming a Certified Arena Exec- For more information on the iAIM program, contact ISI at utive (CAE). Anyone may take the executive level cours- 972-735-8800. A brochure on the 2003 iAIM school will es but only those who have formally applied for the CAE be available in early May. status will receive credit toward the CAE requirements. Students who wish to audit the courses for educational purposes may do so without having to take the exam.

The courses offered are “If You Build It, Will They Come? Planning, Design and Construction of Ice Arenas” with Jack Vivian, Ph.D., Director of the iAIM school, and “Unleashing the Employee Within,” Pat Christenson instructor. CAE candidates who take Dr. Vivian’s course and pass the exam will earn three CAE credits. Students who take Christenson’s course and pass the exam will earn two CAE credits. New ISI Manuals “This is a unique educational opportunity,” said Dr. Vivian. “ISI is expanding its leadership position as the provider of education for the ice arena industry by offer- Available ing iAIM courses in combination with the ISI Conference. This will enable the industry leaders of tomorrow to more New Publication: ISI’s Programming quickly gain the information and resources they need to Guide for Arena Managers, Skating and enhance their careers and the success of their facilities.” Hockey Directors is now available. This valu- able newly revised resource covers how to run iAIM students who have completed the initial three ISI group class programs for hockey and recre- tracks must apply for admission to the CAE program ational ice skating. It is filled with helpful tips through ISI. Others may register for the CAE courses and and sample forms. Call ISI at 972-735-8800 to begin accumulating CAE credits while working on the order. Cost: $20 plus shipping and handling. three preliminary tracks. The newly revised 2002-2003 editions of “With the tremendous need for certifiable training in Skaters and Coaches Handbook and the ice arena industry, the iAIM Board of Regents felt it Competitors Handbook are available. Call was imperative to move forward quickly to address this ISI to order a set with binder or to order the educational void,” said Spiro Giotis, Chair of the iAIM handbooks individually. Both manuals are Board of Regents and ISI Board member. “For this rea- available in shrink-wrap for inserting in the son and to enable our students to more quickly move binder (available from ISI). All 2003 ISI com- through the iAIM program and potentially obtain the petitions will be held in strict accordance with CAE status, we have decided to allow students to earn the rules in the 2002-2003 Skaters and CAE credits, or to audit the courses, prior to being Coaches Handbook and 2002-2003 Com- admitted to the CAE program. Those who have earned petitors Handbook. certification in Programming, Management and Opera- tions who wish to pursue the CAE designation, should formally apply to the program.” 24 the edge march/april 2003

Put Fun and Profit in Public Skating by Michelle Wilkin, CAP, CAM

ublic skating sessions can be the bedrock of arena of the area when formulating costs, activities and pro- programming. Public sessions offer the opportuni- motions for your public sessions. This leads to advertising P ty to attract new customers and convert them to and promotion of public sessions. Word of mouth is a repeat customers. Customers from public sessions poten- wonderful and inexpensive advertising tool. In order to tially feed specialized programs such as skating school, have that form of advertising as an option, you need to hockey leagues and figure skating clubs. “Public sessions provide your current customers with an experience that may not bring in the most total revenue, but they usual- is worth talking about. Here are a few ways that you can ly are the highest grossing activity per hour,” says advertise your public sessions without breaking the bank: Michael Paikin, instructor in the Ice Arena Institute of • Put 2 for 1 coupons, FREE skate rental, or $1.00 off Management (iAIM) and President of VSC Sports, Inc. admission coupons in school newspapers and church newsletters. Hand them out at birthday parties. Put There are a multitude of factors to consider when sched- them in goodie bags during facility events. uling public sessions. School schedules are very impor- • Offer fundraising opportunities for community groups tant to keep in mind. If area schools let out at 3:00 p.m., during public sessions. it’s not wise to schedule a public session from 2:00-4:00 • Develop a good relationship with hotels in your area. p.m. Other points to consider are staffing availability, Create a referral program with hotel employees; i.e. alternative entertainment venues in the area, and demo- they refer customers to your facility and the ice arena graphics. Each area of the U.S. has scheduling hurdles. refers guests to the hotel. For example, if you live in the South or Mid-South, Wednesday nights are not recommended for public ses- Ways to Make Public Sessions Fun sions. Many area residents in that part of the country attend church on Wednesday nights. Keep in mind that • Plan theme sessions: holidays-related sessions with public sessions should be at a time that is convenient for games and prizes, a ‘50s session with appropriate the greatest portion of the skating market. music and prizes for best costumes, an Elvis session with all Elvis tunes and an Elvis impersonator (could How to Make Public Sessions Successful be staff member). Let your imagination run wild; solic- it ideas from staff and patrons. Consistency is key! Set a schedule and keep it. This will • Hire a DJ to play music and take requests. This is a allow your customer base to grow. If parents are looking great session for Teen-Nite. for a rainy day activity for the kids, your public session Continued on page 46... schedule should come to mind.

An excellent example of consistency in scheduling public sessions is the Carmel Ice Skadium in Carmel, IN. Their public sessions have been set at 3:15 – 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday since 1974. Schools let out at 2:50 p.m. and the rink is only 15 minutes from any school in the city. Parents who grew up in the area know that they can drop their kids off to skate after school. Those who have moved away and return for family visits know that public ses- sions will be there at the standard times. A sense of comfort and family fun has developed from the consis- tent schedule.

Consider the ethnic mix of your area, the average age of potential customers, and the income bracket Use public skating sessions to attract repeat customers. 26 the edge march/april 2003 Meet Our Keynote Speakers

Robin Wagner Coach to Olympic Champion, Sarah Hughes PSA Coach of the Year 2002

Lea Ann Miller Professional Choreographer for Yuka Sato, Rosalynn Sumners, Caryn Kadavy, Katarina Witt and Ekaterina Gordeeva

Dr. Peter Davis USOC Director of Coaching and Sports Sciences

PSA International Conference and Trade Show May 21-24, 2003 Stamford, CT

Join the Professional Skaters Association for our four day conference featuring presentations in all disciplines along with many social events and a trade show you won t want to miss! The Westin Stamford Stamfords luxury hotel, located two blocks from the 35 minute express train ride into the heart of New York City at Times Square. Mention the PSA to receive special rate. Call 800-937-8461 today. Stamford Twin Rinks Two days of extraordinary on and off-ice presentations.

Contact the PSA office at 507-281-5122 or register online at www.skatepsa.com. REGISTER BEFORE APRIL 15, 2003 AND SAVE $100 2003 ISI Winter Classic Fun for All by Dianne Powell

isney ICE in Anaheim, CA and Yorba ing forward to participating in the ISI Syn- Linda Ice Palace in Yorba Linda, chronized Skating Championships in DCA were abuzz with excitement Orland Park, IL April 11-13. February 14-16, 2003 as 1,800 ISI skaters, their coaches and families Seventeen-year-old Amanda Bates, a descended on the facilities for the Freestyle 8 skater, coach and Bronze cer- largest ISI Winter Classic ever held. tified ISI judge, from Centennial Sport- Skaters, representing 67 ice arenas splex in Nashville, TN, had her moth- and skating schools, from Florida er and grandmother as her enthusi- to California, Minnesota to Texas astic supporters at Winter Classic. and including Hawaii, Mexico and Bates said she came to Winter Classic the Philippines competed in over to get a feel for what she needs to do 500 events. For a list of participat- to prepare for Worlds. Back in ing teams and their overall scores, Nashville, Bates is spearheading a see page 29. drive to get sponsors to send her team to the 2003 ISI World Recreational Team B.J. Chapman, a coach from RDV Championships, July 28 – August 2 at Sportsplex Ice Den in Orlando, Florida, Northbrook Park District Sports Center, Twin brought six skaters ranging in age from Rinks Ice Pavilion, and Glenview Ice Center in eight to 16 to Winter Classic and everyone had Chicago, IL. a fantastic time. “It’s a great competition,” said B.J. The highlight of the Winter Classic for Chapman was “seeing Connie Corrigan and her daughter Stephanie, both our skaters go out there and skate their best and step off Freestyle 4 skaters from the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Plano, the ice and look me in the eye and say, ‘That was the most TX deemed Winter Classic a fun event that was well orga- fun I’ve ever had.’” nized and smooth. Connie looks forward to participating in the ISI Adult Championships, September 12-14 at the Shannon Story, a 16-year-old, Freestyle 5 skater from the Aero- Charles Moore Arena in Orleans, MA. drome Ice Skating Complex Willowbrook in Houston, TX, described Winter Classic as “the best competition I’ve ever been For more stories from Winter Classic, see the Spring 2003 in.” Story, her teammates and coach Michelle Christie are look- issue of Recreational Ice Skating.

Photos by Dianne Powell 2003 ISI Winter Classic Results

1 Disney ICE ...... 911.5 35 Dr. Pepper StarCenter Plano ...... 39.5 2 Ontario Ice Skating Center ...... 584.0 36 Sprinker Recreation Center ...... 38.0 3 Norwalk Ice Arena ...... 361.0 37 Ice Chalet - Palos Verdes ...... 36.5 4 Galleria Ice Skating Center ...... 333.0 38 Easy Street Arena ...... 35.0 5 Aliso Viejo Ice Palace ...... 298.5 39 Slap Shot Skate Center ...... 30.0 6 Aerodrome-Willowbrook ...... 254.0 40 HEALTHSOUTH Training Center ...... 27.0 7 San Diego Ice Arena ...... 236.5 41 Olympicview Arena ...... 23.0 8 Pickwick Ice ...... 225.5 42 Riverview Ice House ...... 18.0 9 Paramount Iceland Inc ...... 199.5 43 Tri-State Ice Arena ...... 17.0 10 Westminster Ice Palace ...... 173.5 43 St. Peters Rec-Plex ...... 17.0 11 Pasadena Ice Skating Center ...... 169.5 43 University of Delaware Ice Arena ...... 17.0 12 Ice Town - Riverside ...... 132.5 46 El Paso County Coliseum ...... 15.0 13 Athletic Arts Academy ...... 47.128.5 Jones Center for Families ...... 14.0 14 Ice Station-Valencia ...... 106.0 48 Iceoplex Escondido ...... 12.5 15 La Pista Mexico ...... 100.0 49 Ice Center Cupertino ...... 11.0 16 Iceoplex Panorama City ...... 95.550 Centennial Sportsplex ...... 10.0 17 Iceland ...... 94.0 50 SM Southmall ...... 10.0 18 Logitech Ice ...... 93.0 52 Center Ice Arena-Ontario ...... 9.0 19 Ice Castle ...... 92.5 53 Southwest Ice Arena ...... 8.5 20 Ice Town - La Jolla ...... 92.0 54 St. Marys Point Youth Center ...... 8.0 20 Apple Valley Sports Arena ...... 92.0 55 Culver Ice Arena LLC ...... 7.0 22 Arcadia Ice Arena ...... 89.0 56 Berkeley Iceland ...... 6.5 23 Glacial Gardens Ice Arena - Anaheim ...... 86.5 57 Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center ...... 6.0 24 RDV Sportsplex Ice Den ...... 79.5 57 Polar Ice Peoria ...... 6.0 25 Iceon Skating Center ...... 76.0 59 Iceoplex-Fremont ...... 5.0 26 Surf City Skate Zone ...... 71.5 59 The Gardens Ice House ...... 5.0 27 Oxnard Ice Skating Center ...... 71.0 61 McFetridge Sports Center ...... 4.5 28 Ice Center - San Mateo ...... 69.5 62 Eastridge Ice Arena ...... 4.0 29 Pista De Las Americas ...... 62.5 62 Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center . . .4.0 30 The Skating Edge Inc ...... 58.0 62 The Ice at Stonebriar Centre ...... 4.0 31 Vacaville Skating Center ...... 54.0 65 Ice Palace-Hawaii ...... 3.0 32 Dublin Iceland ...... 51.0 66 Ice Oasis ...... 2.0 33 Glacial Garden-Lakewood ...... 42.0 67 Ice Palace ...... 1.0 34 Oceanside Ice Arena ...... 40.0 the edge march/april 2003 29 SEND ENTRY AND FEE TO: Team Entry Form Event information available ISI All information for team events (on this at www.skateisi.org. 17120 N. Dallas Pkwy., Ste. 140 form) will be mailed to the rink indicat- Dallas, TX 75248 ed below. (Including Family Spotlight.) Phone: 972-735-8800 • FAX 972-735-8815

Event Location Event Dates Test Deadline Entry Deadline World Team Championships Chicago, IL July 28-Aug. 2, 2003 May 1, 2003 May 1, 2003 Please Print

Name of Group Instructor/Coach

Rink Representing Coach’s Home Telephone

Address Rink Telephone

City, State, Zip ISI Registration # We wish to enter: (IMPORTANT Use one team entry form per team, per event. Please send team photo with entry.) Synchronized Formation Compulsories Production Team Age Category: (select one) Synchronized Formation Team Pattern Team Junior Youth Team Teen Team (majority 13-19) Synchronized Skating Compulsories Kaleidoskate Team (majority 7 & under) Adult Team (majority 20 & up) Synchronized Skating Team Team Compulsories: ______Level* Youth Team Synchronized Dance Freestyle Synchro : ______Level* (majority 8-10) Family Spotlight *(indicate 1-10) Senior Youth Team (majority 11-12) Name Age as of ISI # Name Age as of ISI # July 1, 2002 July 1, 2002 1 17 2 18 3 19 4 20 5 21 6 22 7 23 8 24 9 Crossover Skaters Team # 10 1 11 2 12 3 13 4 14 5 15 6 16 7

ENTRY DEADLINE: There will be no refunds.Memberships must be current Entry Fees: through event. Expired Membership renewals must accompany this entry application. All Team Entries $20.00 per member Upon entering this competition, we hereby agree that any photographs or video tapes Production Team pays for first 32 skaters only - $640 maximum.. taken of our team by ISI or authorized party, may be used exclusively for any purpose ISIA Education Foundation Donation enclosed $ by the ISI or any other use authorized by ISI. Total Enclosed: $ ______Make check payable to ISI I declare that the information above is true and that all skaters have current individual membership with ISI, and I have notified all team members that they skate at their own OFFICE USE ONLY risk, and hereby release ISI, the host facilities, and their personnel from all liability. Date Rec’d. ______Check # ______Amount ______Coach’s Signature Date

❏ American Express ❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard ❏ Discover ______Card # Exp. Date Cardholder (please print) ______Authorized Signature Telephone Number (must be included) RISKY BUSINESS? Not if you’re with the right partner.

How committed is the company that handles your rink insurance? Do they actively help lower your risk of injury and potential claims? Do they provide insight and training materials based Visit our web site at on years of experience? There are many changes taking place right now in the rink insurance industry and unless you’re careful, the partner you thought you had may not be there when www.richardsongroup.com you need them most.Give us a call.We’d be happy to answer your questions and share the knowledge we’ve gained from more than 10 years focusing on what matters most: keeping skaters, and the rinks they skate in, safe. Competitive pricing Stability in a changing environment Risk Management Program Comprehensive coverages Knowledgeable claims handling

Specialty coverages for all your insurance needs 1-800-990-RINK the edge march/april 2003 31 ISI Individual Entry Form Event information available at 17120 N. Dallas Pkwy., Ste. 140 www.skateisi.org. Dallas, TX 75248 Phone: 972-735-8800 • FAX 972-735-8815 Event Location Event Dates Test Deadline *Entry Deadline World Team Championships Chicago, IL July 28-Aug 2, 2003 May 1, 2003 May 1, 2003 MALE FEMALE

Last Name First Name ISI Member # Exp. Date*

Address Birthdate Age on 1st day of event

City State/Province Phone No. USFSA Test Level

Postal Code Country Home Rink Name INDIVIDUAL EVENTS NEW Pre-Alpha – Delta Freestyle (1-10) Solo Dance (1-10) Jump & Spin Teams Solo Solo INDICATE LEVEL Low (Pre-Alpha-Delta) Stroking Footwork (1-10) Med (Freestyle 1-3) Spotlight (choose 1) Solo Compulsories Int (Freestyle 4-5) Figures (1-10) Character Artistic (all ages) High (Freestyle 6-10) Dramatic Spotlight (choose 1) Figures Light Entertainment Character Creative Figures Partner Name INDICATE LEVEL Dramatic Free Figures Partner ISI # Pre-Alpha – Delta Light Entertainment Any changes to this original INDICATE LEVEL INDICATE LEVEL entry form will result in a (1-10) Change Fee of $25.00 Special Skater (1-10) (1-10) (Check if applicable) per change/per skater. Partner PARTNER ENTRIES Sim Mix Partner Name Partner ISI # Age as of event Couple Level _____ ______ Dance Level _____ ______ Pair Level _____ ______ Free Dance (3-10) Level __ ______ Couple Spotlight Low (Both Skaters Pre-Alpha-FS3) Char. Dram. Lt. Enter. ______ Couple Spotlight High (Either Skater FS4-FS10) ______ Char. Dram. Lt. Enter. Registration Fees are non-refundable ISI reserves the right to limit the number of entries NOTES: *Memberships must be current through the event. Membership renewals may without notice. accompany this entry form. All test and memberships must be registered with the ISI Headquarters. I skate at this competition at my own risk and hereby release ISI, the host facility(ies) and their personnel from all liability. I declare that the home rink listed above is the true rink/club/school that I wish to represent. Fees and Payment (all amounts are USD) Upon entering this competition, I hereby agree that any photographs or video tapes taken of me, by ISI First Event $65.00 * ENTRY FEES DOUBLED or any authorized party, may be used exclusively for any purpose by the ISI or any other use authorized Each Additional. $20.00 by the ISI. AFTER ENTRY DEADLINE! Family Entry. $90.00 (Covers all family members’ first entry; each additional entry $20.00 per person/ per event.) Skater Signature Date ISIA Education Foundation Donation enclosed $ Membership fee enclosed $10.00 Domestic Parent/Guardian (if applicable) Date (for new/expired members to ISI) $15.00 Foreign I declare that the information above is true, that this skater’s test(s) is/are registered, that the skater is a current individual member of the ISI, and is skating in the proper categories and levels, and that the home Total enclosed: $ ______make check payable to ISI rink listed above is correct. ISI Use: Check # ______Amount ______Date Received______Instructor Signature Date ❏ American Express ❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard ❏ Discover ______Card # Exp. Date Cardholder (please print) ______Authorized Signature Telephone Number (must be included)        
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 -,  !  &  + !   Mid-Atlantic Arena meeting? Come on … give us a try … we’re a fun group! Managers Association Contact me at [email protected]. (MAMA) Hang on; spring will be here soon! by Trudy Ivory

Wow! As I write this, is it cold out- Metropolitan Ice Rink Association side?! While that is usually a good (MIRMA) thing for the ice business, in by Judith P. Sniffen, President some ways it is having the opposite effect. No one wants As I write this article, I’m listening to the tragic news that to go out in the cold and wind the space shuttle Columbia has exploded over Texas. It is to do anything. This too shall pass. truly a sad day for our country and the families of the brave astronauts who risked danger to create a better Our January MAMA meeting was held at the newly ren- world. We all pray for the seven brave explorers and their ovated Cleveland Heights Community Center in Cleve- families. land, OH. Spend a “few” million and you get a great facility! The community center houses two ice sheets, The District III Executive Board is making plans for one Olympic-size, a fitness center, indoor walking/jog- MIRMA’s Spring Managers Seminar to be held in early April ging track, basketball courts, a senior center, after school in Bridgeport, CT. Lisa Fedick, manager of Wonderland of childcare facilities, and lots of activity rooms and large Ice, will host the meeting. Breakfast and lunch will be lobby/seating areas. Our host, Kelly Taylor, provided a served, compliments of MIRMA. The day will conclude tour and a delicious lunch. Thanks, Kelly, we really with a tour of the newly completed Harbor Yard Bridge- appreciate your hospitality! port Arena, home of the AHL Sound Tigers, and dinner (for a fee of $25). Complimentary tickets to a Bridgeport Sound In attendance were 16 members from 11 facilities in PA, Tigers hockey game are available to attendees. OH and WV. After our tour, we sat down to our tradi- tional roundtable and discussed how our public skating Topics for the seminar will include: sessions are doing this season. The majority reported a • Safety decrease of approximately 10% to 15% from past years. • Coaches/Players/Parents Responsibilities How come? The economy? Bad figure skating press from • Proper Skate Sharpening by Stan Belliveau the last Olympics? Could be a lot of issues. We talked about ways to increase the awareness of what we offer the The Continental Elite Hockey League (CEHL) has community. announced the addition of the New Jersey based Metro Fighting Moose, Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club, for the Mt. Lebanon in the Pittsburgh area invited “Sponge Bob” 2003/2004 hockey season. The Metro Fighting Moose will to a Marathon Skate during a day when school was out and be based out of the Sport-O-Rama ice facility located in attracted 800 people over an eight-hour session. Guess who Monsey, NY. (Congratulations to Barry and Janet Wolkon “Sponge Bob” was. I can keep a secret. on securing this program.) Dan Weltman, owner of the new franchise, sees this as a great opportunity for the We also believe that passing out fliers in our local elemen- community as well as local talent. Chris Firriolo will be tary and middle schools offering a discount coupon works head coach of the new team. Players will range in age well. Several arenas have purchased big screens for over the from 16 to 20 and will be recruited from across the U.S., ice to show movies, music videos and football games with Canada and Europe. Players will be actively involved in success. We also discussed how to handle groups that can- local schools, hospitals, nonprofit organizations and cel ice at the last minute and how many of us have leased charity events. Anyone interested can contact the Metro pro shops and concession areas and who still runs their Fighting Moose at 908-241-6002 or visit their website at own setup. The majority have leased facilities. Pro shops www.metromoose.com. either work very well or not at all, depending on the com- petition from big name sporting goods companies in each The District III/MIRMA ISI competition is scheduled for arena’s location. June 14-15, 2003 at The Rinx in Hauppauge, NY. Carola Mandeville, District III Instructor Section Representative, In the afternoon we were treated to a comprehensive pre- will chair the competition. Information will be sent to all sentation from Hench Control International on energy skating school directors. For more information, contact management. Hench offers several systems to control the MIRMA President Judith Sniffen at 516-628-2240. needs of individual ice rinks. The lowest energy saving has been 14.5% and the expected payback on the cost is two to Wisconsin Ice Arena Management three years. For more information, you can contact Hench at 519-822-3200. Association (WIAMA) by John Wardman, Vice President Our meeting concluded with a discussion of where our April 23rd meeting will be held. Any volunteers in the Plans have been finalized for the WIAMA 2003 Spring MAMA area who would be willing to host the next Conference to be held April 23-25 at a new location, the

34 the edge march/april 2003 Raintree Resort in the Wisconsin Dells. The Conference changes in our industry since 1986. All the proposed will begin with Jason Easton, representing ISI’s iAIM pro- changes were adopted by the membership. gram, speaking on Equipment Operations and Mainte- nance, followed by a panel of experts from the industry Increasing membership was another important topic of with an Open Forum Discussion. Rick Bayer will discuss discussion. At our meeting last October, good suggestions Contractual Risk Transfer; Tom Shfranski and Ed Nolter were made by attendees, some of which have been imple- will give updates on WIAA and ASTM issues; and Dave mented. Ads were placed in the local hockey magazines Wescott of STAR will discuss the Practical Approach to Ice announcing the date and time of our upcoming meeting. Maintenance. There will be a Trade Show Thursday night Others will take more time, like implementation of region- for vendors to show new and existing equipment and al meetings in different areas of the state, other than products. The WIAMA Conference will end on Friday Southeastern MI. Kevin Barnes from Ferris State Universi- with a final Question and Answer Wrap-up session. We ty Arena and vice president of MAMA is spearheading this hope to see everyone at the conference. campaign. An annual meeting in June will be planned to bring everyone together at a resort area for a two-day con- For further information on WIAMA, contact Nancy Hack- ference and social event. er, WIAMA, 700 Shady Lane, Neenah, WI 54956, or call Nancy at 920-731-9731, extension 10. Once again a rule change request was submitted to the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association by MAMA on the Michigan Arena Managers Associa- spring and summer rule, implemented two years ago, that limits players to only one team in the spring and sum- tion (MAMA) mer. We feel that this is hurting the players and the are- by Ron Holbrook, President nas financially. The new rule, if passed, would allow play- ers to participate on no more than two teams in the The latest meeting of the Michigan Arena Managers Asso- spring and summer. ciation was held on January 14 at the Ice Box in Brown- stown, MI. Our host was Jono Norian, owner/manager of the three-sheet facility. No guest speakers were at this Minnesota Ice Arena Managers Asso- meeting, as the focus was on the association. One of the ciation (MIAMA) main topics was the proposed amendment to the by-laws by Chadd Benson, MIAMA District 7 Representative of MAMA. The last revision to the by-laws was made in September, 1986. As we all know, there have been many The MIAMA Board of Directors met at Woodbury Ice Arena

Continued on page 36...

the edge march/april 2003 35 ...Continued from page 35 on February 12. One of the focuses of the meeting was the employees. The school was so successful that FMC Presi- Spring Workshop. This year’s Workshop will be held at the dent Rob McBride has requested that the iAIM Operations National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, MN on Wednesday, school be brought to MA this summer. All FMC facilities May 14. There was much discussion on this year’s format are members of NEISMA and ISI. We encourage other and changes that could be made. It was decided to keep groups across the country to consider inviting the iAIM the Vendor Trade Show at the Fall Conference and not at program into their communities. the Spring Workshop. We feel one tradeshow a year is suf- ficient and that this gives the vendors more time to min- In spite of record-breaking snowfall and cold so severe that gle with membership. This also gives us more time to focus the Atlantic has been frozen for five weeks, we have no on presenters and sessions. reports of damage to arena roofs. We’re aware of several facilities that used snow blowers to remove snow from MIAMA’s website, Rinkfinder.com, has been a great suc- their roofs. We cannot recommend this because of the dan- cess so far. Many customers have used the site with most ger, but it worked. The snow came in early December and looking for facility locations and ice for sale. We received is still piled up in early March. This effectively prevented a report from some of our members regarding the “Ice for outdoor skating, even though the ice is very thick. The Sale” page with most of the feedback being very positive. weather had to help public skating attendance in arenas. Many managers reported that they had sold more ice hours than last season and that the website is a great ser- We were surprised to see a number of NEISMA members vice to members. at the Let’s Play Hockey Show in Las Vegas in January. Most said that they found the show worthwhile. It is not Plans for this year’s annual MIAMA Fall Conference at possible to go to a show or conference without learning Breezy Point resort are in progress. We are very excited to something new. NEISMA President Tom Morton and the have many new and fresh ideas and expect a good turnout. Board of Directors have planned an exciting NEISMA Spring Conference that will offer outstanding education- The next MIAMA meeting will be on May 13 in St. al presentations and a large Trade Show. The 2003 NEIS- Cloud. For more information on MIAMA, please contact MA Spring Conference and Trade Show will be held May Al Payne at 612-861-9351 or check our website at 7-9 at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Ledyard, CT. www.rinkfinder.com. This has been a very popular venue in the past; we expect a good turn out.

North East Ice Skating Managers Association (NEISMA) by Al Tyldesley Arena

It appears that ice arenas in New England are enjoying another banner year. In spite of the reported poor econo- Programming Tip my and slow down in family spending, ice arenas in our by Art Sutherland area are reporting an increase in demand for ice rental. Some arenas now consider Monday – Friday early morn- n this fast paced world there is ever-increasing com- ing ice time as prime time. Expanded school programs petition for entertainment dollars. As managers and must use the before-school hours as the only time avail- operators of recreation facilities, you have to devel- able. Figure skating club membership is up. The complaint I op new ways of attracting patrons. A great idea that I we hear is that there are too many figure skating competi- have seen is “combination programming” whereby you tions to go to. Public skating numbers appear to remain package a suite of activities into a fun-filled evening good in spite of the limited hours offered for this activity that will keep patrons in your facility longer. in our area. One facility I visited had a “Children’s Social” on Friday One of the more interesting demands for ice time comes and Saturday nights. It included a one-hour skating ses- from middle school hockey programs. Parents or booster sion, one hour of crafts and games, and a 1 1/2 hour groups fund many of these programs. Lack of school fund- movie. The cost was $10 per child and included one ing allows these teams to skate a longer season and thus soft drink. It’s a very popular event for kids and their become good customers for the arena. Budget cuts for parents. school athletic programs have forced many schools to charge “sports fees” for participation in official school The diversity of combination programming is only lim- sports. In spite of these fees, there has been little if any ited by your imagination and could include learn-to- drop off in numbers of players. This is especially true in skate lessons, dry floor activities, costume parties, etc. ice hockey where parents are used to paying youth hock- ey fees. * Art Sutherland is President and CEO of Accent Refrigeration and the author of five recreation facility operations/training We were delighted to have ISI’s iAIM program in Marlboro, manuals. He can be reached by calling 250-478-8885, or MA last September. The Arena Management Certification check the website www.accent-refrigeration.com. program was well attended. Facility Management Inc., which operates 16 ice arenas in MA, registered over 20 36 the edge march/april 2003

Classified Ads FOR SALE: Surplus ice rinks, portable amusement park/hotel IMMEDIATE OPENING FOR HOCKEY DIRECTOR - ice rink packages. Disposing of used equipment, like new con- Skatetown Ice Arena in Roseville, CA is currently accepting dition. 20’x30’, 30’x50’, 40’x80’-60’x120’. Includes 200 pairs resumes for a hockey director to manage and grow our youth of rental skates per rink purchased. All trailer mounted and and adult house leagues, all hockey instructional programs, portable. International Ice Shows. Phone 708-448-2047. drop in hockey programs, tournaments, camps, and hockey officials programs. In addition to overall responsibility for the SEEKING “SPORT FLOOR” - Facility Management Corpora- hockey department, the person in this position will be a mem- tion, operator of 16 Massachusetts ice rinks, is looking to purchase ber of the Skatetown management team. Previous successful a used sports floor for inline and floor hockey. The playing surface experience as a hockey director is preferred. Strong organiza- is 85’ x 185’. Please contact Scott McCoy at Facility Management tional, management, customer service, and team-member skills Corporation at 781-982-8166 extension 104 with information. are required. Send resumes to [email protected].

SKATING DIRECTOR: $29-42K. Qualifications: strong IMMEDIATE OPENING FOR PRO SHOP MANAGER - skating background with knowledge of figure skating teach- Skatetown Ice Arena in Roseville, CA is currently accepting ing methods and techniques; knowledge of ISI and USFSA resumes for a person to manage our retail pro shop. Our programs; ability to coach participants of all ages; supervi- 1,200 sq. ft. pro shop carries a large selection of hockey and sory experience; ISI and PSA certification; computer skills. skating merchandise. Previous successful experience as a Duties: develop, execute, and manage all skating programs; retail manager is required. Hockey and skating retail sales increase awareness, enrollment, and sales of programs and are a plus. In addition to overall responsibility for the pro special events; supervise production of ice shows and com- shop, the person in this position will be a member of the petitions; implement off-ice conditioning classes; perform Skatetown management team. Strong organizational, man- public relations functions; evaluate instructors; prepare agement, customer service, and team-member skills are annual skating budget. Contact: Pettit National Ice Center, required. Send resumes to [email protected]. Attn: Human Resources, 500 S. 84th St., Milwaukee, WI 53214; fax 414-266-0122; email [email protected]. SKATING DIRECTOR/ASSISTANT manager wanted for a 6 year old facility near Indianapolis. Responsibilities INDIANAPOLIS AREA synchronized skating organization include managing Learn to Skate, freestyle programs, instruc- seeking two coaches. Teams currently compete ISI and USFSA. tors, general rink duties, and working a flexible schedule. Synchro experience preferred. Potential opportunity for private Send resume to The Forum at Fishers, 9022 E. 126th St., Fish- lessons. Resumes to PO Box 675, Fishers, IN 46038. ers, IN 46038, Fax (317) 849-2310, Attention Derrick Bye.

38 the edge march/april 2003 Great defogging begins here, in the minds of our engineers. For example, take our Arid-IceTM Desiccant Dehumidifiers. Benefits include: • Better Ice • Reduced • Better Air Energy Costs • No Dripping • Dependable Operation •No Mold • Retrofitting • Year Round Existing Rinks Operation

Concepts & Designs, engineer Stanley 29235 Lorie Lane • P.O. Box 1013 Harcourt pictured here, may never Wixom, MI 48393-1013 make the Olympics as a figure skater. 248-344-7236 • Fax: 248-344-9401 But rink operators around the world [email protected] would gladly award him a gold medal www.conceptsanddesignsms.com for arena dehumidification. Contact him for assistance with rink and arena dehumidification. ETL-C, ETL and CE Rated How to Market Group Sales by Susan Snyder-Davis

roup sales should be a vital part of a successful ice • Contests – Give away a party to draw attention to your arena’s business. Since walk-in business is unpre- parties. Gdictable for sales forecasting, you should promote • Advertise in local newspapers, school papers, club group sales. By booking group parties in advance, you can newsletters, church directories, Yellow Pages, school year- begin to project upcoming sales and then your walk-in busi- books, school and community theater programs, high ness becomes bonus income. school and college radio advertising, and community newspapers. Don’t forget to promote your group sales How do you begin to develop your group sales business? capabilities in your facility event programs and over the What are the typical reasons to gather for a party? Often it’s public address system during shows, competitions and for a child’s birthday, but there are other reasons. Families hockey games. have parties for reunions and anniversaries. Clubs and non- • Sales incentives – Give your staff and customers incen- profit organizations hold parties to raise funds, to get to tives for referring business. know each other better, end-of-the-year celebrations and • Web sales – Be sure to include details on your website meetings. Schools hold after prom parties, end-of-the-year about group sales. You may consider offering party dis- celebrations, beginning of the year parties, and after games counts to groups who link your website to their website. or plays parties. (If you are looking for schools in your area, Be sure to collect e-mail addresses of your group leader check out the American School Directory, your internet guide contacts. Don’t spam your prospects with junk mail, but to 108,000 K-12 schools: www.asd.com.) periodically offer e-mail party specials they can’t resist. • Sales 101 – Direct mail, telemarketing and cold calling are Businesses throw parties for reaching sales quotas, retire- all methods of building your prospects database. ments, new product announcements and to entertain clients. Families, clubs, schools, non-profits and businesses all cele- There are other creative ways to build your group sales. If you brate holidays. It’s your job to notify these groups and to can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Join the groups where your remind them to have parties for all of these important rea- prospects gather, infiltrate their world and learn their ways. sons … and, by the way, your facility offers party packages. And, when you feel comfortable, invite them to meet at your facility. While they are there, be sure to hand out your party There are targeted places within the community to call on brochure. Throw a big party and invite group leaders and for group sales. You will find business in the following areas: prospects to come with their families or guests. Hand out • Schools - private, public, technical, home schoolers, mid- your party brochure. dle, high school, community colleges, universities, PTAs, PTOs and day care centers If you want to give groups an added bonus for signing up for • Communities within the community – apartment company and group parties, provide their group with your complexes, sorority and fraternity houses, and college facility’s logo T-shirt with their organization’s name over- dormitories printed on the shirt for their event. Give the group the • Businesses – wholesale, retail and manufacturing option of paying extra to receive the T-shirt. You will need to • Industries – real estate, insurance, hotels, dental/medical coordinate with a local printer who can provide the over- and automotive sales companies printing and you may need a minimum order of shirts from • Religious organizations and churches the participating groups. • Civic groups – Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Jaycees, scouts • Special groups – utilities, cable companies, government It costs you more to generate new clients than it does to sell offices, media, fire and police departments, and medical more to the clients you already have. Translated – offer fre- facilities quency discounts to groups that sign up for parties. If they book one party, tell them that if they book three parties There are endless ways to generate leads and to market group throughout the year, you’ll give them a fourth party for free. sales. Here are a few: • Testimonials – Invite group leaders to write a note of refer- One of the smartest things an ice arena can do is to invest in ral on their letterhead if possible. its group sales program by hiring someone to specifically • Brochures – This is where you can shine. Let everyone solicit group business. Send you sales person to professional know what kind of parties they can expect to have at your sales training classes and provide your sales person with sales facility. tracking software and bonuses, sales incentives and com- • In-house promotions – Flyers, calendars and banners are missions. Take your group sales seriously and you’ll enjoy all ways to remind your customers that you can throw serious results. their parties. • Exhibit at community fairs, festivals and events to meet * Susan Snyder-Davis is owner of Kids Marketing Factory and and greet residents of your community. author of Marketing Your Family Entertainment Cen- • Cross promotions – Work with other businesses wanting ter and Special Events for Family Entertainment Cen- to increase their business. ters. You can reach her at [email protected]. 40 the edge march/april 2003 the edge march/april 2003 41 New Builders/Suppliers Harmon, Leslie - AR Rawlings, Cindy - CA Johnson, Salina - TX Rodgers, Jessica - PA Adams Mark Hotel- Jones, Herman - OH Rossi, Jason - NY Northbrook Killean, Mary Kathryn - TX Safley, Kelly - IL Michael Downey Knotts, Charlotte - FL Seamens, Chris - PA 2875 N Milwaukee Ave Kobayashi, Jay - CA Sheerahamed, Kris - FL Northbrook, IL 60062 Krize, Elizabeth - VA Slepawic, Sarah - IL Ph 847-298-2525 Layten, Kelly - CA Spencer, Colleen - KY Fax 847-298-8965 Lee, Gloria - CA Strikowsky, Lisa - VA Loebman, Bari - IL Sumrell, Theresa - VA New Retail Merchants Lucila, Herbert - TX Tanakatsubo, Kristen - IL MacKinnon, Christina - NY Thompson, Natalie - WA Pro’s Edge Sports Magnuson, Becky - CA Titus, Amy - NY Kelly Weiss McGrath, Danielle - CA Vachon, Louis - CA 9501 West Peoria Ave Meltzer, Robyn - FL Walker, Patricia - SD Peoria, AZ 85345 Montalbano, Danielle - NY Walsh, Jim - FL 2003 March/April Ph 623-412-3444 Munana, Luke - CA Warner, Lavonna - TX Fax 623-412-8666 Noble, Kerrie - CA Welch, Heidi - AL O’Malley, Kelly - IL Wheeler, Skye - CA New Associate Members Ortiz, Emily Ruth - CA Willers, Patricia - MN New Rinks/Clubs/Schools Piteo, Katherine Lomba - CT Williams, Karen - CA Adamek, Brett - IL Poiroux, Brooke - AL Williams, Kevin - TX Alice Noble Ice Arena Ahlbrecht, Jill - CO Rasmussen, Renee - NV Winterholler, Emerald - WY Matt Stoll Anderson, Katharine - CA 851 Oldman Rd Arakaki, Brian - AZ Wooster, OH 44691 Araujo, Crystal - CA Directory Additions Ph 330-345-8686 Ashworth, Molly - CA Fax 330-345-5014 Bajorin, Alyssa - NY Two ISI Administrative Members were inadvertently left Bashaw, Robyn - VT out of the recently printed ISI 2003 Directory. We apolo- Major League Figure Skating Baum, Audrey - TX gize for any inconvenience this error may have caused. Jon Rubin Beebe, Stephanie - CA Please add the following to your Directory: 336 Tulip Lane Blake, Alison - NV Freehold, NJ 07728 Boundy, Jane - IL San Diego Ice Arena 11048 Ice Skate Place Ph 302-983-5667 Broeren, Jane - PA San Diego CA 92126 Brouhard, Melissa - CA Phone 858-530-1826 Palmetto Skate Club Cantatore, Robyn - NY Fax 858-530-0606 706 Lockner Road Carlotto, Mary Kay - MA E-mail [email protected] Columbia, SC 29212- Carson, Stewart - TX Manager: Philip Linssen Ph 803-798-9912 Cohen, L. Kati - IN Skating Dir: Wendy Smith Crai, Richard - CT Hockey Dir: Mark Graham Professional Figure Skaters DeCarlo, Erika - IL 1st Voting Rep: Philip Linssen Cooperative Diaz, Hector - CA Member # 04075Acct # 7275, Dist 15 Janet Wright Dion, Michelle - MA 716 Lee Street Farmington Hills Ice Arena Douglass, Alyna - CO 35500 Eight Mile Rd Des Plaines, IL 60016-4515 Dufour, Pierre - CA Farmington Hills MI 48335 Ph 847-824-5700 Dziewulski, Joyce - WI Phone 248-478-8800 Fax 847-824-0394 French, Julie - PA Fax 248-478-7360 Gallozzi, Charlene - MA E-mail [email protected] Yorba Linda Ice Palace Gammoh, Andrea - CA Manager: Alan Strasser Gary Shaffer Gilbert, Stacey - MI Skating Dir: Valerie LeBlanc 23641 La Palma Ave Gornall, Heather - NY Voting Rep: Alan Strasser Member # 19049Acct # 0049, Dist 06 Yorba Linda, CA 92887 Greenway, James - FL Ph 714-692-8776 Greenwood, Teresa - MO The information in the ISI 2003 Directory Online is cor- Fax 714-692-1207 Guinn, Regina - AZ rect. Go to www.skateisi.org for complete Directory Hakimi, Lisa - SD listings and other updated information. Harman, Jessica Lynn - PA

42 the edge march/april 2003

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the edge march/april 2003 43 ISIA Education Foundation Report

Applications for the 2003 ISIA Education Foundation schol- port of the Education Foundation and its mission could arships have been submitted, and a committee of enable your students to be future scholarship winners. Foundation trustees is charged with the task of selecting this year’s winners, to be announced at the ISI Annual In order to continue the Education Foundation’s scholar- Conference and Trade Show, May 27-29 at the MGM Grand ship program, the Foundation welcomes contributions in in Las Vegas. any amount. Your skating school or club is encouraged to share a portion of competition profits or to hold a fund-rais- The ISIA Education Foundation was founded in 1989 to er to further the goals of the Foundation. Contributions are enhance the educational opportunities of ISI members recognized in Recreational Ice Skating and the ISI EDGE, through the awarding of scholarships for post-secondary unless donors wish to remain anonymous. Contributions school education. ISI instructors, skating directors and are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. coaches are urged to make their students aware of the Education Foundation scholarships and to encourage The ISIA Education Foundation gratefully acknowledges the skaters to apply. following recent donations:

To accumulate the required number of service hours, Sponsor: ($1,000-$4,999) scholarship applicants need to begin documenting their District 8 service long before their senior year in high school. An “Hours of Service Verification Form” and the “ISIA Supporter: ($500-$999) Education Foundation Application Criteria” are in the District 8 in memory of Michael Kirby 2001-2002 ISI Instructors Seminar Manual, can be down- loaded and printed from the ISI website, Donor: ($250-$499) www.skateisi.org, or can be obtained from ISI. Current Karen & Paul McCulley criteria could change in the future. Boyd & Barbara Wietecter

This is a worthwhile program that rewards outstanding ISI Contributor: (($100-$249) members and ultimately enhances our industry. Your sup- Donald & Elizabeth Weiner

44 the edge march/april 2003 by Patti Feeney Managing Director of Member Programs and Services

ne of the goals of the Ice Skating Institute is to pro- We continue to strive towards Great Customer Service, but vide Great Customer Service! Our mission is to make we need your help to accomplish this. There are easy solu- Oit easy to do business with us. We believe people tions to the problems mentioned. Coaches, when you know (members) should not have to work hard to receive services your students have moved or are going to move, please from ISI. remind them to contact ISI via phone, fax, e-mail or mail to notify us of their address change. Sometimes our members unintentionally provide roadblocks to our reaching our Great Customer Service goal. Consider Arenas need to request a comprehensive report that lists the the following occurences that interfere with our members names and numbers of all members, membership expiration receiving the service they deserve. dates, and highest tests passed. This report enables coaches • One third of the 1,800 entries in Winter Classic were and skating directors to know the status of their skaters prior either not current members or their tests were not regis- to submitting event entry forms. tered. All these skaters required letters concerning miss- ing information and verifications, thus tremendously To stay current on rule changes, facilities/coaches need to slowing down our ability to get information to all mem- purchase the latest versions of ISI manuals. Check the ISI bers in a timely manner. website, www.skateisi.org, on a regular basis for updates on • A membership application recently arrived containing all events and rules. the facility name and the skater’s date of birth, but no name, address or other pertinent information. ISI is If we all work together, we can reach our goal of providing blessed with a dedicated, hard-working staff, but none our members Great Customer Service. of us are mind readers. • After each issue of Recreational Ice Skating is mailed, over 100 magazines are returned due to incorrect addresses, but fewer than five notify us of any address changes. Advertisers Index This takes funds that could be applied to member ser- American Locker ...... 37 vices and gives the money to the post office. We must Athletica Inc./Crystaplex ...... 38 pay to get back the incorrect address labels; otherwise Becker Arena Products ...... 15 the magazines would continue to be sent to wrong Bonestroo & Associates ...... 44 addresses. Burley’s Rink Supply ...... 43 • When Judges Certification tests are received without the Canlan Ice Sports ...... 11 test version marked on the answer sheet, appropriate Commercial Refrigeration ...... OBC grading is impossible. Concepts & Designs ...... 39 Covermaster ...... 46 This is a sampling of actual instances where Great Customer Earth Tech. Corp...... 25 Service was impeded. Ed K Ice Sports ...... 12 Facility Management Corp...... 33 Are you experiencing a long wait for an Endorsement for FrontLine Solutions ...... 15 shows and competitions? Are you providing all the neces- Honco Inc...... 21 sary information required for an endorsement? Ice Builders ...... 7 1. Is the facility’s membership current? Jet Ice Ltd...... 13 2. Is the competition director Gold certified? If not, have K&K Insurance ...... 8 you listed the name of the gold certified referee? Maximum Solutions ...... 43 3. Does the application contain the signatures of the dis- Mollenberg-Betz ...... 9 trict representative, arena manager and voting repre- Mondo USA ...... IBC sentative? Professional Skaters Association ...... 27 4. Is the daytime phone number correct? Rice Specialty Risk ...... 41 5. Is the information packet complete with an accompa- Skaters Edge Sourcebook ...... 21 nying competition endorsement application? SP-Teri Co...... 19 It is not unusual for staff to have to call four or more times The Richardson Group ...... 31 to get endorsement information corrected. If the endorse- VSC Sports ...... 12 ment form is incomplete and calls from ISI are not returned Zamboni ...... 35 in a timely manner, endorsements are held up. the edge march/april 2003 45 ...Continued from page 26

• Play Ice Skating Trivia. Create questions that the pub- to come back. Public sessions should be viewed as an lic will have answers for or can get from in-house entertainment opportunity. Programming the sessions brochures and flyers. Ex: How many weeks are there in to draw attention will enable you to compete with our Learn-to-Skate series? If customers don’t know, roller rinks, movie theaters, miniature golf and other they should be able to find a Learn-To-Skate brochure entertainment outlets. Even if you are not interested or flyer that provides the answer. in doing something every week, consider acknowledg- • Mix it up with reverse skate, boys only skate, girls only ing the holidays with appropriate thematic music and skate, and couples skate. give-a-ways. In an effort to keep customers in your • Offer exhibitions by local figure skaters, hockey play- facility, use guest passes, discounts on in-house pro- ers or broomball teams. They don’t have to be your grams, food/beverage from the snack bar, or facility higher level skaters. Utilizing tots and adults in your merchandise as prizes. programs inspires potential skaters while informing customers that you offer a broad age range of pro- Don’t sacrifice customer service for a higher profit mar- grams. To get the best results, carefully plan exhibi- gin. “A typical dissatisfied customer will tell eight to 10 tions to match your anticipated audience. Exhibitions people about his problem. One in five will tell 20. It takes are wonderful marketing tools. Don’t forget to invite 12 positive service incidents to make up for one negative the local media. one,” says Andy Deyo, an instructor with the iAIM school • Announce birthdays, anniversaries and any other spe- and President of H/D Sports Management. cial events periodically throughout the session. Peo- ple, especially kids, love to hear their name over the The most effective way to make a public skating session public address system. profitable is to focus on customer service and safety, and • Make your arena pleasing to the eye. Make it colorful. don’t forget to entertain! Use special effects lighting, a disco ball, banners or whatever is appropriate for your specific facility. Make * Michelle Wilkin is the Assistant Manager and Skating it bright and inviting. School Director at Oxnard Ice Skating Center in Oxnard, CA. She is a Certified Arena Programmer and a Certified Arena Once you’ve gotten them in your door, you want them Manager.

46 the edge march/april 2003