March/april 2010

50 Years Later Memories of the Groundbreaking 1960 Winter Olympics

• Conference & Trade Show in Vegas • Refrigeration Design Flaws & Solutions • Increase Event Participation, Build Your Bottom Line ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 1 ® Add Certification to Your Competitive Edge Certification2010 Schools

“I absolutely recommend iAIM for so many reasons — the education coming from people who implement the very practices they are teaching, the network of professionals all over the nation, the ideas generated from the sessions, the support materials and the credential gained that says you • Certificate of Design, took the time and effort to be good at what you do.” Construction & Renovation (CDCR) Alane Swiderski, CAP Director of Skating Programs June 6-11 FMC Ice Sports Crowne Plaza Fairfield, N.J. “iAIM offered even more than I expected. It has • Certificate of Arena Management (CAM) broadened my horizons in different management • Certificate of Arena Operations (CAO) styles, hiring trends, customer care, operations, policy and procedures, law and liability, cost • Certificate of Arena Programming (CAP) savings and mentoring staff.” August 8-12 Joe Balzer, CAM Holiday Inn of Totowa Operations Assistant, Totowa, N.J. Richfield Ice Arena Sponsored by: Richfield, Minn. Tuition per school: $595 for members (Non-members: $795)

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2 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 Volume 12, Number 5 In This Issue March/ April 2010

Publisher ArchiveWild Collection/Minnesota Clark Don Ice Skating Institute 4 Editor Lori Fairchild

Editorial Advisors Peter Martell Sean Flynn Randy Winship Dawn Malone

Print Production & Advertising/Sponsorship 10 Manager Carol Jackson

Graphic Designer 17 Logan McCoy

Contributors Chris Geatrakas Julia Smith to the Clarice Tunison Ice ArenaLAS Conference VEGAS & Trade Show 2010 28 The ISI EDGE (USPS 017-078, ISSN 1522-4651) is published bimonthly; January/February, March/April, May/ June, July/ August, September/Octo- ber, November/December; by the Ice 50 Years Later: Memories of the Groundbreaking 1960 Winter Olympics ...... 4 by Lori Fairchild Skating Institute, 6000 Custer Road, Building 9, Plano, TX 75023. Annual Subscription Rate is $24.00 per year. What Were They Thinking? Refrigeration system design flaws and solutions ...... 10 Periodicals postage paid at Plano, TX, by Chris Geatrakas and at additional mailing offices. iAIM Report Sharpen Your Saw ...... 13 POSTMASTER NOTE: Send address by Kevin McCormack changes to ISI EDGE, c/o The Ice Skating Institute, 6000 Custer Road, Building 9, Plano, TX 75023. Printed in Make the Most of Your Conference & Trade Show Experience ...... 17 by Lori Fairchild the U.S.A.

Subscriptions available through mem- Ice Arena Conference & Trade Show Prospectus ...... 19 bership only. Management Matters The True Test in Tough Times ...... 24 ©2010 by the Ice Skating Institute. by Sean Flynn Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited unless expressly autho- rized in writing by publisher. All rights Preventive Measures for the Top 5 HR Issues ...... 26 by Clarice Tunison reserved. Opinions expressed by con- tributors do not necessarily represent the views of the Ice Skating Institute, Put Your Best Skate Forward! Build your bottom line with the publisher or the advertisers. Sub- by Julia Smith increased ISI event participation ...... 28 missions of manuscripts, materials, photographs, and artwork are made Judge Certifications ...... 32 at mailer’s risk and must include self- addressed envelope with sufficient postage for return. No responsibility Ice Arena Association Reports ...... 34 will be assumed for unsolicited ma- terials. ISI reserves the right to edit Calendar ISI-Endorsed Competitions & Shows/Exhibitions ...... 36 material submitted for content and space consideration. And Another Thing Skating’s ‘Circle of Life’ ...... 38 by Peter Martell Dedicated to providing leadership, education and services to the ice skating industry.

ICE SKATING INSTITUTE 6000 Custer Rd., Bldg. 9 Plano, TX 75023 Phone: (972) 735-8800 50 Years Later Fax: (972) 735-8815 e-mail: [email protected] Memories of the Groundbreaking 1960 Winter Olympics www.skateisi.org

ISI INTERNATIONAL by Lori Fairchild HEADQUARTERS “The impact was tremen- Executive Director dous due to the television Peter Martell Director of Skating coverage,” says Carol Heiss Programs & Events Jenkins, the 1960 ladies’ gold Randy Winship Director of Management medalist. “Figure skating Programs & Services Sean Flynn lends itself beautifully to Director of Member Services television, because all of the Dawn Malone Controller action is confined to the rink Donna Crooks space. You really have the Assistant Controller Elizabeth Kibat feeling that you’re watching Membership Department Manager Kathy Chase Briner Bill a show. After those Olympic Membership Coordinator Games, many more kids Mary Ann Mangano Print Production & Advertising/ wanted to try skating and Sponsorship Manager Carol Jackson started asking for skates the Graphic Designer next Christmas.” Logan McCoy Information Services Coordinator In addition, she points, Jeff Anderson out, pre-1960 indoor ice Administrative Assistant Angela Tooley skating facilities were pri- Designed as the centerpiece for the 1960 Winter Games, Blyth Arena ISI OFFICERS marily associated with was a unique A-frame building featuring glass walls and one side open exclusive private clubs, President Jim Hartnett to the mountains. 1st Vice President Mike Paikin hardly accessible to the 2nd Vice President Janice Forbes average American family. “But all of a sudden, Treasurer Rob McBride Secretary Margy Bennett t’s been a half-century since the VIII Winter we had community rinks in the suburbs, recre- Immediate Past President Jim Lange Olympic Games in Squaw Valley, Calif. ational rinks with public sessions, and the next DIRECTORS changed the face of winter and ice sports in District 1 Tiesha Potvin-Coale the United States. District 2 Robyn Bentley “The 1960 Winter Olympics were, in of Courtesy WeldonOlson District 3 Lisa Fedick I many ways, the genesis of our business and District 4 Christine Wilson Brinton District 5 Larry LaBorde served as a catalyst for the American ice arena District 6 Toni Cooper industry,” notes Peter Martell, executive director District 7 Jamie Baringer District 8 Susan D’Aquila of the Ice Skating Institute. District 9 Bridgid LaMear “To put it into perspective, consider that, in District 10 Char Martin District 11 John Kanicka 1930, more than 50 years after the first artificial- District 12 Debbie Lane ly refrigerated ice rink was constructed in New District 13 Allison Petsch York, there were still only 28 ice skating facilities District 14 Paige Scott District 15 Bert Blanchette in the entire country,” Martell says. “As of 1960, District 16 Cindy Solberg that number had still not reached 100. But by District 18 Glyn Jones Hockey Dan Smith 1972, the figure had mushroomed to nearly 1,000. Builders & Suppliers Doug Peters Many would, directly or indirectly, attribute this Instructors David Santee explosive growth to the excitement and interest Commercial Facilities Liz Mangelsdorf Public/Not-for-Profit Facilities Sara Bolan generated in Squaw Valley.” Schools/Colleges/ universities Alane Swiderski iAIM Chair Kevin McCormack PSA Representative Gerry Lane The Impact on Ice Sports USFSA Representative homer Hagedorn The single most significant factor contributing to ISIAsia Representative Raul Gomes AMMA Representative Trudy Ivory this unprecedented enthusiasm was the aware- MIAMA Representative Dean Mulso ness created with the first commercially televised Two of Team USA’s 1960 gold medalists: Weldon MIRMA Representative Judy Sniffen Education Foundation Don Bartelson Olympic Games in the United States. Olson (hockey) and Carol Heiss (figure skating). Lifetime Honorary Member Carol Zdziebko 4 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 thing you knew, the ISIA and its learn- even have a rink back when I played at primary Zamboni resurfacer driver for to-skate program.” BU, and now they have two.” the interior rink during the ’60 Olympics. Traveling and televised ice shows One of Rodenhiser’s Olympic team- He considers those Winter Games the also gained in popularity and kept mates in both ’56 and ’60, four-year beginning of a new era in ice skating. skating high on the list of recreational Michigan State Spartan leading scorer “All the rinks got busier than heck after and entertainment activities. Weldon Olson, remembers 1960 as a the Olympics,” he notes. “We started offering junior hockey that year and had

Wild Wild Archive Collection/Minnesota Clark Don big sign-ups because the kids all saw the Olympics on TV, and we started running summer clinics.” Putting Tahoe on the Map Prior to the 1960 Winter Games, Lake Tahoe was widely known as a summer destination, but few knew of the amazing skiing the region had to offer, says Nancy Cushing, whose late husband, Alexan- der Cushing, was the founder of Squaw Valley and was responsible for bringing the Games to the resort. “The 1960 Olympics were instru- mental in establishing Lake Tahoe as a winter resort. In fact, at that time, skiing in western North America as a whole was not very publicized. Skiing was primarily associated with Europe and New England. It was the 1960 Squaw The 1960 men’s team, sometimes referred to as the “First Miracle on Ice,” was the first American hockey team to claim Olympic gold. Valley Olympic Winter Games that put western skiing on the map, and many Ron Ludington, who with his then- “definite turning point” for ice sports western ski resorts were developed as wife Nancy Rouillard Ludington won across the country. “It was the ideal time a direct result,” notes Mrs. Cushing, the bronze in pairs, describes the impact after the 1960 Olympics to spread it out chair and CEO of Squaw Valley USA of the 1960 Games as “incredible. It was into the recreational programs. The ISIA and board member of the Lake Tahoe the first time that ice skating got that program did a great job with teaching Regional Sports Commission. kind of notoriety. It was great exposure.” people how to skate, more than had ever The Olympics also had a major The United States’ performance in been done before.” impact on the infrastructure of the the 1960 Games also contributed to the Olson, whose career later included area, she adds. Roads and bridges were excitement. In addition to Heiss, who positions with Madison, Wis.-based constructed specifically for the Games, took gold with first-place rankings from Trade and Sports Publica- all nine judges, her future brother-in-law, tions, rink refrigeration pioneer David Jenkins, won the men’s gold, and Charles R. Beltz Co. and the underdog U.S. hockey team upset Hancock Recreational Center both the powerful Canadians and the in Findlay, Ohio, was a charter overwhelmingly favored Russians to member of the Ice Skating In- become the first U.S. men’s hockey team stitute of America. Rodenhiser, to take top Olympic honors. Penny Pitou who worked with the Metro- of the U.S. won silver in the women’s politan District Commission Co. Zamboni of Courtesy downhill as well as the women’s giant (MDC) for five years before slalom, and William Disney took silver becoming the first manager of in the men’s 500-meter speed skating. the Edward F. Loring Arena in Along with the Ludingtons’ bronze, that Framingham, Mass., also was brought the U.S. medal tally to 10. an early ISIA administrative “Winning our first gold gave impetus member. to the whole hockey boom,” recalls Dick Bob Skrak, another ISIA Rodenhiser, a former Boston University charter member and longtime Frank Zamboni designed a one-of-a-kind resurfacing machine, pulled by a large truck equipped with a water Terrier who played on both the 1956 and general manager of East Bay tank, for the world’s first artificially refrigerated speed 1960 Olympic hockey teams. “We didn’t Iceland in California, was the skating track.

ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 5 artificial refrigeration. Blyth Arena, the speed skating oval, ski Zamboni also loaned the lifts and ski jumps. Willy Schaeffler, the Games three other units to Olympic ski course designer who had

Courtesy of Zamboni Co. Zamboni of Courtesy be used on the side rinks. been involved in the 1936 Games in The 1960 Olympics Germany and the 1952 World Champi- had an immense effect on onships in Aspen, was called in. the Zamboni Company, Designed specifically for the Games, recalls Richard Zamboni, Blyth Arena was a unique A-frame Frank’s son. “Before that building featuring glass walls and one time, my dad had only sold side open to the mountains, with a machines in the U.S. and capacity of 11,000 spectators (8,500 A miniature three-wheel Zamboni resurfacer (right) was created just for Blyth Arena’s tight corners. Canada. After that, he sold seated). Never intended to be a perma- two machines to Swiss nent facility, the building continued to and Lake Tahoe was transformed into rinks. That prompted people in other serve northern California for many years a world-class destination known for its countries to contact us about becoming but was demolished in 1983 following a challenging terrain and one of the largest dealers. Rolba became our dealer in roof collapse due to heavy snowfall. ski lift networks in the country. Europe as of 1961. Then my dad was approached by the Patine Co. Zamboni of Courtesy Corporation, and they are still Zamboni’s Olympic Debut our dealer in Japan. It started us Zamboni ice resurfacing equipment exporting machines to countries was still relatively new to the ice arena other than Canada, and that’s industry in 1960, when it was used for a big part of our business today. the first time at an Olympic venue. We’ve had a presence at most Blyth Arena, built to house the Winter Games since then.” Olympic figure skating and hockey events at Squaw Valley, was designed with nearly square rink corners with Visions: only about an 11-ft. radius. Frank Zamboni, always up for solving a chal- Past and Future lenge with a new invention, designed Squaw Valley’s success at winning special electric three-wheel machines the 1960 Olympic bid is the for the rink, including a small one classic underdog story. Initially just for the corners. In addition, at the dismissed as a hopeless dreamer, Squaw Valley provided an intimate setting for the Games, with the practice rinks, speed skating oval and request of Olympic ice arena manager Alex Cushing, the lone resident ski jump within view of the ice arena. Bill Kerth, Zamboni designed a one-of- of a little-known ski resort town a-kind resurfacing machine, pulled by a with no mayor, one chairlift, two rope In the days preceding the 1960 large truck equipped with a water tank, tows and a 50-room lodge, managed to Games, heavy rains washed away the for the speed skating oval, which was convey his vision to the Olympic Com- snowpack, forcing the operations crew the first track in the world to feature mittee with an ambitious campaign to truck snow from surrounding areas.

Courtesy of Zamboni Co. Zamboni of Courtesy that eventually won world- Fortunately, a Sierra storm hit the night wide support. The committee before the Games. The snow stopped became intrigued with the and the sky cleared just in time for the idea of holding the Games in opening ceremony, orchestrated by this tiny, picturesque Califor- Walt Disney and featuring 5,000 par- nia valley in the Lake Tahoe ticipants. basin, where annual snowfall Thirty nations competed in 15 measured 450 inches. alpine and ski jumping events, eight The Games were awarded speed skiing contests, three figure to Squaw Valley in 1955 by skating competitions and 28 hockey a 32-30 vote, bringing the matches. The event drew47,000 specta- Winter Olympics back to the tors, the largest group to ever watch United States for the first time a winter sports program in America. since 1932 in Lake Placid, N.Y. Their lodging costs ranged from $5 to The next four and half $10, and the daily admission to see five Never intended to be a permanent facility, Blyth Arena continued to serve northern California for years but years were spent constructing major events set them back $7.50. was demolished in 1983 following a roof collapse due to 50 miles of four-lane freeway, Richard Zamboni says one of his heavy snowfall. bridges, hotels and restaurants, most vivid memories of the Squaw

6 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 and efficient Winter Games events that require mountains would be in history, even by many of distributed among the Lake Tahoe ski their original doubters. resorts, with Squaw Valley most likely Five decades later, the hosting the giant slalom and slalom. Squaw Valley Ski Museum “The effort is widely supported by JeffEngerbretson Foundation joined forces both locals and ski resorts,” Cushing with the Olympic Heritage adds. “This area has an incredible Committee to host a 10-day Olympic legacy, and we would love to Olympic Heritage Celebra- see the Games back in Tahoe once again.” tion commemorating the 50th anniversary of the VIII A 10-day Olympic Heritage Celebration in January Winter Olympic Games. commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the VIII Winter Olympic Games in Squaw Valley. The January event served as the official launch of a Valley setting was its compactness. “It capital campaign for the development of was so small compared to what the the Squaw Valley Ski Museum. An effort Winter Games got to be in later years. is also under way to bring the Winter In Squaw Valley, the venues were all just Olympics back to the Lake Tahoe area right there, close at hand. It was unique in 2022. having the hockey and figure skating “Due to the sheer size of the JeffEngerbretson rink adjacent to the speed track, and the Olympics today, the effort to bring the practice rinks next to them. You could Olympic Games back to the area is look out the window and see the hill focused on the Reno/Tahoe region as a with the big ski jump. It was a hometown whole,” explains Nancy Cushing. “Reno thing, and they pulled it off.” would most likely host all the events that Squaw Valley CEO Nancy Cushing lights The 1960 Olympics came to be would not require mountain terrain, in- the torch for the Olympic Heritage regarded among the most successful cluding figure skating and hockey. The Celebration.

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ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 7 Courtesy of of Courtesy WeldonOlson The ‘Forgotten Miracle’ eam USA’s surprise victory over the Dick Rodenhiser. “I think that’s one of Soviet Union, leading to the men’s the reasons we were so well prepared.” Tice hockey gold medal at the 1980 In the preliminary round, the Winter Games in Lake Placid, N.Y., is Americans beat the Czechs 7-5 and the widely known as the “Miracle on Ice.” It Australians 12-1. The championship was, however, history repeating itself. round included victories over the Swedes and the Germans, Bill Briner Bill setting up the U.S.- Canadian match, which resulted in a 2-1 upset by the Amer- icans. An unlikely semi-final match-up against the Soviet Union went down to The 1960 medal stand for Olympic men’s hockey featured: (center) Jack Kirrane, U.S. captain; the wire, ending in an (left) Ken Laufman, Canadian captain; and (right) even more unlikely 3-2 Nikolai Sologubov, Russian captain. American win. It was the first time in history entered their locker room and advised that the U.S. had dom- the Americans to take breaths from inated a Soviet team, an oxygen tank before starting the with Bill Christian final period. Olson is eager to set the scoring the tying and record straight on that highly publi- winning goals. cized anecdote: “You always hear about “But the real hero the Russian captain coming in to tell us of both the Canadian about oxygen. Well, oxygen was nothing the Russian games was new to our team. But he came in and Jack McCartan, the wisely brought a couple of reporters with goaltender,” says Olson. him, and told us, with gestures, to use With 17 seconds remaining on the scoreboard, the 1960 The unexpect- some oxygen. But the reason he wanted underdog U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team upset the USSR, marking the first time in history that the U.S. had dominated a ed victory over the to make sure we won was that if Czecho- Soviet team. Soviets meant the slovakia beat us, Russia would finish U.S. was on the ice in fourth place. His ‘altruistic’ move Twenty years earlier, the 1960 men’s again early the next morning, against was really a selfish one, because if the team — sometimes referred to as the “First the Czechs. “The powers that be had Czechs went home with a medal and the Miracle on Ice” or the “Team of Destiny” assumed that Russia and Canada would Russians didn’t, that would have changed — was actually the first American hockey be vying for the gold medal on Saturday their whole life. That’s one of the myths, team to claim Olympic gold. Despite afternoon, but that wasn’t the case,” that we got six goals in the next period having won silver in both 1952 and 1956, Olson says. because the Russians told us to use the team was nonetheless considered The U.S. was lagging 4-3 after oxygen. Well, the kid that got three, an underdog to the established hockey two periods when the Russian captain Roger Christian, didn’t take any oxygen. powers in Canada and the Soviet Union. I didn’t take any. A lot

The American team comprised of Courtesy WeldonOlson of the guys didn’t take it. college students and amateur players pri- But the press loved that marily from the Boston area, Michigan story and made a big deal and Minnesota. “But we had about 30 out of it.” combined years of international expe- The Americans, in- rience, and the only one who had not deed, rallied with six played internationally was the alternate unanswered goals in the goaltender,” notes 1960 team member third period to win 9-4, Weldon Olson. for a combined 7-0-0 “Five of us had played in the ’56 during the 1960 Games. Olympics in Cortina, Italy, and some It was an exhilarat- of us had played on the ’57, ’58 and ’59 ing time for the young national teams, and we all came together The U.S. team lines up at the blue line prior to American amateurs. “In the Olympic match against the Swedes, which on the 1960 team in Squaw Valley,” adds would only be the beginning of the combined 7-0-0 the late ’50s and early American record at the 1960 Winter Games. 8 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 1960 Winter Games Firsts & Highlights ’60s, it was quite a different atmosphere. • First Olympic Games held in the • First time mechanized ice resur- The NHL only had six teams, and there western United States. facing equipment was used at an were no Americans playing on them. Olympic venue. The highest level we could reach as an • First Olympic Games to be commer- American was to play on an Olympic cially televised in the United States; • First time artificial refrigeration was team, and some of us had played on two. CBS paid $50,000 for the right to installed for speed skating events. But we didn’t feel like celebrities in the broadcast the Games domestical- least. We all just went back to our jobs. ly, and they were televised by tape • Featured the world’s largest Olympic I was fortunate to have been in the rink delay to Europe. ski-jumping course at that time. business, because I continued to play amateur hockey.” • Marked CBS’ invention of “instant • First year women were permitted Only five U.S. Olympic hockey replay” as a result of a ski race con- to compete in speed skating as an players won both a silver and a gold troversy, when officials asked CBS official Olympic event. medal in the 20th century: Rodenhiser, for permission to review a videotape. Olson, Bill Cleary, John Mayasich and • First Olympic biathlon competition Dick Meredith. • First and only time in modern (combining cross-country skiing and Olympic history that an Olympic shooting). Village was built to house all the A new documentary athletes under one roof, creating a First time an Olympian competed on film,Forgotten Miracle, • unique cultural camaraderie in which metal skis (Frenchman Jean Vuarnet, celebrates the gold they bunked, dined and spent leisure who won gold in men’s downhill). medal run of the 1960 time together. U.S. Olympic hockey First time a woman (Carol Heiss) took team, featuring rare • First time computers were used the Olympic oath on behalf of all par- footage of the first • to tabulate results. A team was ticipating athletes. televised Olympic required to operate the glass-walled Games, illustrated IBM processor, which was the size of Disney artist John Hench’s Olympic reenactments and interviews with team • a small building and boasted a disk torch design was used for the first members, coaches and experts. capacity of 5 megabytes. time, and has served as the concept for all Olympic torches since.

ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 9 WhatWhat WereWere TheyThey Thinking?Thinking? Some refrigeration system designs that began as inspired

have turned out to be inefficient. by Chris Geatrakas

ike many of you in the ice rink business, I have spent There are many variations of the basic ice rink refrigera- countless early mornings and late nights in ice rink me- tion principle, which is, essentially, taking heat from “where we chanical rooms, on ice floors and outdoors, high in the don’t want it (the ice)” and moving it to “where we don’t care Lair on condensers and water towers, with one goal in mind: (outside).” The latter, fortunately, has changed to “where we can save the ice from meltdown. reclaim the heat and reuse it economically.” Many of the costly breakdowns and repairs encountered Anyone who is intimately involved in the ice-making over the years have not been the result of neglect on the part process and enters the mechanical room on a daily basis will of the owner/operator but actually were created years before identify with one or many of the design elements and systems on the design tables of the engineer/architect and design/ below. There certainly have been many ways to make ice: build installers. Some of their “inspired ideas” have turned into • Direct liquid over-feed systems “nightmares” for the owner/operator and service technician re- • Indirect brine or glycol chiller systems sponsible for keeping the systems operating. • Steel, plastic and ice mat floors • Mechanical or fusion joint connections • High- and low-density plastics • R-22, R-502, R-12 and ammonia primary refrigerants • The newer offerings — R-134A, 407C and 410A, to name a few • Fusion storage or thermal (to test how long and where you have been in the industry, name the locations where these systems were installed and I’ll buy you a coffee — $5 Starbucks card in the mail to the first five answering correctly; sorry, only one per company) • Industrial vs. commercial systems • Electric chillers • Natural-gas engine chillers • Propane engine compressors

Let’s visit a rink or two, highlighting a few design elements that have the potential for increasing your maintenance and re- pair costs. The names of the rinks and designers are withheld to 1 protect the innocent, the guilty – and me.

ere you have a typical evapo- fan, motor belts and condenser tubes essentially overlooked and the con- rative condenser. In goes the easily. No catwalk, protected ladder denser eventually failed. Bearings, fan hot gas, heat is rejected and or other safe means to reach the unit shaft and belts were neglected to the Hout goes the sub-cooled liquid back to was provided. The access door is 16 point of system shutdown. “Out of the chiller. This unit should have given feet above the parking lot surface. The sight (and access), out of mind.” the owner many years of service, had owner and his staff could not routinely To compensate for this flawed it been installed in a manner that the access the important elements of this installation, the owner was forced to service tech could actually reach the unit, so preventive maintenance was purchase a platform scissor lift which

10 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 required further expense, extra train- ing for his staff and maintenance of WhatWhat WereWere the lift, in addition to maintenance of the chiller system. Now he is the own- er of two machines — both a chiller and a lift — that have the potential to break down. Looking further, however, we see TheyThey Thinking?Thinking? the real flaw in the system: the relief vent line from the chiller high-pres- sure relief valves to outdoors. Why is 2 the relief line exiting above the top of the evaporative condenser? Does the discharge air stream cause a problem? oving inside, we have the fabrication and installation. Drop this As the system operates, carry-over chiller, a brine system with “package” into the mechanical room, vapor from the discharge of the evapo- many positive features: pipe to and from the condenser, re- rative condenser enters the “hood” of Mbackup system pumps; multiple open- frigerated floor, under-floor heat sys- the relief line, condenses under that drive compressors; environmentally tem and the snow melt, add power hood, drains down the steel pipe to the friendly, efficient and inexpensive am- and control wiring to a single point, relief valves and collects on both the monia refrigerant. and Voila! We have ice! This is -cor high side and the low side, eventually But look closely and you’ll see the rect at the start, but later, someone forming rust around the relief valve potential for increased maintenance has to service this equipment, which springs. This prevents them from re- costs: open brine vent/balance tanks was carefully assembled miles away lieving should system pressures exceed piped directly above the steel-based in a controlled environment, piece by relief spring set points. Fortunately, chiller. Multiple small but lethal (to piece, with little foresight to the issues this was discovered before a major am- steel) brine leaks from the tanks and of access for service. Space for service monia accident occurred. If the relief respective piping above are about to access is very limited for the average valves do not relieve, the weak point cost the owner considerable dollars to service technician. Some parts of these in the system will eventually rupture replace not only the pumps but also as- systems are difficult, at best, to access: in an uncontrolled manner. We tested sociated piping. Why not design and the service tech must have the techni- the valves and two of four would not install the brine balance tanks a few cal ability to troubleshoot and repair open when 250 psig pressure (the set feet away from the chiller to protect the system, as well as the flexibility of a point) and greater was applied. the system from the effects of an even- gymnast to access the parts. Please, de- Check your condensers and re- tual leak? signers, give us, the technician and the lief lines. If they are in the air vapor Refrigeration systems are of- owner/operator, some room to move stream of your condenser or looking ten factory pre-assembled for easier around in these systems! straight up to the sky, make correc- tions immediately and check all your relief lines and valves for corrosion. Certainly you are replacing all re- lief valves every five years, per code — right?

ast, one of my favorites, the floor vent box, which usually hides two vent valves for the cold floor and two for the Lwarm floor. Whether venting brine (calcium chloride) or ethylene glycol, these well-inten- tioned but misguided system startup tools can spell disaster for an ice rink floor, some- times by misuse and otherwise by design. Why are they there? To help vent the headers and floor systems. Problem is, the vent lines are tapped into the top of the 3 headers — in this example, a center header (in-floor) system which is not the high point

ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 11 of the system, nor is it the high point valve to safely vent the air and subse- in the mechanical room ahead of the of the floor. The floor tubes are above quent brine that follows this procedure brine pumps and your venting prob- the vent taps, which means the air in to a bucket. Instead, the air and brine lems will go away. the floor must be pushed by the pump are vented into the vent box, where the to the high point of the system anyway, corrosive brine saturates surrounding which is the vertical riser in the me- sand, then drains to the cold main pip- I hope this has presented some use- chanical room. ing, headers and under-floor heat steel ful information, inspired some debate The vent valves in the floor box mains and headers below. Accidental and maybe sent some of you back to add a new potential for leaks and sys- leaks do the same damage, and eventu- the mechanical room to check things tem damage. We have seen owners/ ally a good floor system goes bad and out. The key to the long-term successful operators periodically opening the expensive repairs and/or replacements operation of your systems lies with the vent boxes, accessing the vent valves are necessary. Make it an ethylene gly- initial design, and with you, the own- col system; lose more than er/operator and the amount of useful The key to the long-term five gallons of glycol to the hands-on information you have regard- ground and you own an ing the “heart” of your ice rink system: successful operation of environmental spill with the chiller and its associated parts. your system lies with the associated costs, potential fines and some bad press. initial design and with Owners, do yourself a favor, save some instal- the useful, hands-on lation costs and eliminate Chris Geatrakas is president and owner the vent boxes from your of East Syracuse, N.Y.-based Davis Me- information you have. designs. Insist the design- chanical Service Inc., providing ice rink er remove them from the refrigeration, dehumidification and tem- and “venting” air from the system. Un- project. Many floors are installed with- perature-control installations and service fortunately, one step is typically left out vent boxes and all are successfully from coast to coast. Visit his booth at the out: adding a hose to the end of the vented. Add an in-line air separator ISI Ice Arena Trade Show in Las Vegas.

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12 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010

DATE: 11.23.09 INK SPECS: JOB NO: 220-122 FILENAME: BAP EDGE AD c m y k Report Your Saw by Kevin McCormack Sharpen CAO, CDCR

ur company and our facilities have managers know how to manage. Managers cooperating with people and building re- always been about results. Yes, must know and understand what each and lationships. Using the “Seven Habits” has we all work very hard and put in every person in the facility is supposed bettered me personally and professionally. Oplenty of hours, but we are mostly judged to do. Coaches and instructors must Among them is one called “Sharpen the on the bottom line. In order to achieve know how to make our classes success- Saw,” which essentially means to continu- positive bottom-line results, my goal this ful and how to interact with customers. ally educate and improve yourself. Once year is to give my staff members the tools Operations staff must make sure that you learn how to do something, improve to get their jobs done. I want to make sure our equipment does not break down and on it, try to do it better and do not allow they are as prepared as they can be to that our arenas are clean. By sending our yourself to become complacent. handle any situation, to operate our facili- staff to educational programs like the Ice Why “sharpen your saw” as an ice ties professionally and to make sure we are Arena Institute of Management (iAIM), we arena manager, owner or professional? capitalizing on every opportunity. educate them in all of these areas and more. The fact is, too often we see intelligent For our company, education is an in- A few years ago, I read the book The people attempt to join the ice arena vestment in our staff and a reinvestment Seven Habits of Highly Effective Peopleby industry only to find they are just not in our facility. Financially, times are diffi- Stephen Covey. In fact, I learned about prepared. Intelligence is not enough for cult, but staff education remains a budget this book from Bryan Dodge, one of ISI’s them to realize the complexity, challeng- priority because it’s one of the most im- excellent conference speakers. If you have es and demands of running an ice arena. portant tools to our success. an opportunity, BUY THAT BOOK and Sports management is very different than In order to achieve our goals, it is read it! The “Seven Habits” have taught it appears to be from the outside looking my responsibility to make sure that our me so much about supervising staff, in. Too many ice arenas fail because ICE RINK DESIGN From the Leader in Ice Rink Technologies

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ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 13 owners and managers repeatedly make is vital to its success, and you need to to make an outstanding facility. the same mistakes and are unwilling or know how all of the different custom- The opportunity to “sharpen your saw” unprepared to change. ers, programs and staff come together has never been better. The iAIM board of There is no more complete prepa- to achieve its goals. regents has prepared an exciting schedule ration for the ice arena industry than The Certificate of Arena Operations of one-day seminars and certification op- iAIM. The four tracks of the iAIM (CAO) track brings to light the necessi- portunities this year. In May we will offer program cover every aspect of operating ty of a consistent maintenance program a one-day seminar at the NEISMA Spring an ice arena. Whether you are building for your facility, your equipment and Conference as well as a one-day seminar an arena, teaching at one, operating the even your ice resurfacer. In addition, in conjunction with MIRMA. At the back of the house or managing the entire you’ll find classes on how to run a safe annual ISI conference in Las Vegas we facility, iAIM has a program for you. Each public session and the importance of have scheduled a half-day Certified Arena track provides you with a foundation for front desk operations. Executive (CAE) class. June kicks off in success and bottom-line results. Each Finally, the Certificate of Arena Man- New Jersey with the School of Ice Tech- course will teach you ways to improve agement (CAM) track teaches the arena nologies (co-hosted with IAAM) and the procedures and efficiency and offer new manager and owner about the business CDCR, with on-ice sessions at the Pruden- ideas for marketing and services. side of your facility. This includes how tial Center, home of the New Jersey Devils. The Certificate of Design, Construc- to interpret financial statements, risk In August, we travel back to New Jersey tion and Renovation (CDCR) covers management and insurance, and how to for the CAM, CAP and CAO schools. And different types of refrigeration systems; create a budget. we join MIAMA in September, offering energy efficiency; the role of an architect, The iAIM program is the most CAO and CAP schools. construction manager and engineer; and in-depth and complete certification Don’t miss out on your opportunity ways to avoid pitfalls in your construction program for ice arena management, led to make yourself and your facility better. or renovation project. by instructors with extensive experience We look forward to seeing you there! The Certificate of Arena Program- in ice arena management, operations and (See inside front cover and page 24 for ming (CAP) focuses on the variety of programming. Each of the tracks teaches school details.) programs and events that a facility can you about marketing, budgeting, human host, both traditional and nontradi- resources and customer service. Certain- Kevin McCormack is chairman of the tional. The programming of an arena ly all of these areas need to function well iAIM board of regents.

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14 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 2009 Certifications ISI congratulates the ice arena managers, operators and programmers who earned iAIM certification in 2009:

Certificate of Arena Gene Katz 2009 Certificate of Alex Lira Programming (CAP) Danbury Ice Arena Arena Operations Rinkside Family Sports Chicago Lara Kuechel Chicago Tony Martin Winnetka Ice Arena (CAO) FedEx Forum

Toni Cooper Patrick McGannon Dwayne Adkins John Owens The Peak Danbury Ice Arena Alice Noble Ice Arena Newton Country Day School

Diane Dailing Dawn Malone Laz Castillo Jr. Adrian Russeau The Skate School, LLC Ice Skating Institute Oakton Ice Arena Paul Sterling Susan D’Aquila Jordan Mann Teresa Foy Rushmore Plaza Civic Center The Edge Ice Arena Oakton Ice Arena Athletic Arts Academy

Amy Forbes Anne Raucci Gary Fischer Franklin Park Ice Arena Franklin Park Ice Arena Rushmore Plaza Civic Center For 2010 iAIM school

Mary Hensley Stephanie Skrzypek Patrick Klaybor schedule, see page 2 Oak Lawn Ice Arena Homewood-Flossmoor Joyce Center Ice Rink Ice Arena

Certificate of Scott Fredrickson Shawn Maher Tom Spooner Arena Management Moose Sheritt Ice Arena FLAAA Northfield Arena Todd Gibson Dzevad Mahmutovic Scott Stephan (CAM) (in partnership Rochester Recreation Center Eden Prairie The Pond Minn-e-Rink with MIAMA) Community Center Steve Gusa Ted Vernon Grand Rapids, Minn. St. Thomas Ice Arena Dawn Malone Eden Prairie Ice Skating Institute Community Center Matthew Hanchulak Jon Balvance East Bethel Ice Arena Dave Ohlund St. Thomas Ice Arena Cottage Grove Ice Arena Bryan Karnuth Josh Barrick St. Croix Valley Rec Center Mark Palm Shakopee Ice Arena MIAMA members: Brooklyn Park Kyle Kuehn Community Center John Cole Earn CAO or CAP All Seasons Arena Drake Arena Cale Politoski Sept. 7-10 at Jared Larson Shattuck St. Mary’s Bob Erickson All Seasons Arena MIAMA Conference Anoka Area Ice Arena Wayne Roehrich Kevin Madsen Brooklyn Park Craig Flor Willmar Civic Center Community Center Mariucci Arena

ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 15 Registering Your Skaters with ISI Is Good for Business – and Easy, Too!

If you aren’t aware of the benefi ts of ISI skater registration, or if you think it will be too complicated or time-consuming, you’re in for a pleasant surprise!

Registration is a value-added service that you can provide for your skaters, and boost your facility’s bottom line in the process. And the new ISI Membership Rewards Program makes it a better deal than ever before! Here’s what some of our members have discovered:

ith skating programming in the ur six facilities started including the Wmajority of our facilities, we OISI membership fee as part of the reg- service thousands of kids through istration process for our skating school our learn-to-skate classes and free- over two years ago. We had some reserva- style ice each year. It’s important to tions that customers would simply view it us to make sure every skater and all as a fee increase and have a negative per- of our facilities have the protection ception of it. But amazingly, we have had Alane Carin Swiderski, CAP needed for safe participation. ISI almost zero complaints! There is a regis- Director of Skating Programs membership allows us to do that. tration fee for almost any youth sport or FMC Ice Sports Enrolling so many skaters seems activity today, and skating is no different. daunting, but it’s a just matter of We market our skating school fees as “dis- creating the spreadsheets from counted” for current ISI members, which our registration software and creates a strong selling point. sending them via e-mail — a Coaches and skating managers have small investment of time found that registration for shows, competi- that reaps a huge benefi t. tions and advanced testing is easier to promote among current ISI members. Registering all of our skaters into the ISI program is a no-brainer. It’s quick and easy to download a roster of your class ur facility requires all partici- nity. ISI also is a great benefi t to skaters and send it off to the ISI offi ce. It’s Opants to become Individual the facility, as most rinks wouldn’t so simple that I wish we would have started members of ISI. We have a join/ be able to provide all the resources this process a lot sooner. renew item on our learn-to-skate ISI affords to their patrons. We also love the ISI monthly compre- and learn-to-play registration forms. Registration is really quite hensive report, which is the quickest and When we fi rst implemented this painless. Having the entire program easiest method for verifying skater infor- mandatory membership, we were registered makes it easier when mation for competition entries. concerned that our patrons would processing skills tests, ISI competi- be upset by the additional expense. tions, shows and camps because we In reality, it has generated very already know they are members. few concerns or questions. When our staff explains the benefi ts of joining, it quickly resolves any fi - Liz Mangelsdorf, CAM nancial concern. Senior Director of Skating Programs The benefi t to the customer is Dallas Stars Hockey Club that the ISI is their window to op- portunities within the sport. For Dr Pepper StarCenter / PSA StarCenter most families, this is their fi rst in- Janice Forbes, CAP troduction to ice skating, and it’s a ISI Program Coordinator valuable resource for our commu- Sprinker Recreation Center

16 For more information, contact the membership department at [email protected] EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 Make the Most of Your Conference & Trade Show Experience Show Up, and Speak Up! by Lori Fairchild

ike participants in all worthwhile connections to other coaches, skating endeavors, attendees of the ISI directors, managers and vendors. I Conference & Trade Show find that always leave feeling inspired and ener- to the Lthey get as much out of it as they put into gized, and come home with new ideas Ice Arena Conference & Trade Show it. Not surprisingly, full, active participa- and suggestions from others that have LAS VEGAS tion yields the richest, most rewarding proven to be effective. The conference 2010 experience. atmosphere fosters growth and im- There’s no magic formula to the art of provement, because everyone is there Hedge Your Bets, Register Early successful conference attendance, other to become better at their jobs and to Attending the 2010 ISI Ice Arena Conference & than to simply immerse yourself in the help others in the industry become the Trade Show automatically makes you a winner, experience and take advantage of as many best they can be.” thanks to this year’s hot topics, fresh perspectives of its educational and social opportuni- Even after 15 years of conferences, and desirable destination – Caesars Palace! Here’s ties as possible. Dean Mulso of Burnsville Ice Center in another reason to register early and bring your co- Minnesota says he continues to find value workers to help you win big! In addition to the early in annual attendance. “I’ve learned many bird discount offered to those who register by April new techniques and programs that have 15, check out these Vegas bonus prizes: helped my career as well as the arenas I’ve managed. Birthday University has helped Everyone who is registered as of March 1 our revenues greatly, even though we only 1. will be entered in a drawing for one of three have one meeting room space. Attending room upgrades to Caesars’ posh Palace Tower, ice show sessions has helped us increase conveniently located near the convention area participation and revenues while decreas- and Garden of the Gods pool area. ing expenditures. “I love the keynotes that ISI has Everyone registered by April 1 will be entered offered over the years, and their motiva- 2. in a drawing for one of five VIP packages, tional and customer service topics have featuring roundtrip transportation from the inspired me to do a better job with my airport, daily access to the deluxe fitness arena and my staff,” Mulso adds. center and much more. Note: If you were There are only two serious mistakes But he says the biggest benefit he among the pre-March 1 registrants, your you could possibly make with regard to has gained from conference attendance name will be entered TWICE. your annual industry conference (and is the networking and its results: “I have both are easily avoided): one, fail to gathered information from talking to Everyone registered by May 1 will be entered attend; and two, refrain from partici- peers from around the United States 3. in a drawing for the grand prize, the ultimate pating once you’re there. It’s very simple: who have many of the same issues that upgrade to the legendary two-level “Rain show up, and speak up! You won’t be I have, and discussed how they have Man Suite,” as seen in the 1988 Dustin sorry. Just ask those who know: handled them.” Hoffman/Tom Cruise movie as well as 2009’s “The ISI Conference provides an op- Likewise, Liz Mangelsdorf of Dr comedy hit The Hangover. Those who regis- portunity to get the feel of the industry,” Pepper StarCenter Plano in Texas, an tered prior to April 1 will be entered in the notes Allison Petsch of Lane Events 11-year attendee, places networking drawing twice, and pre-March 1 registrants Center in Eugene, Ore., who is gearing among her top conference rewards. “We will get a Triple entry. up for her fifth conference. need the opportunity to see each other “Without this conference, we and gain new information and resources All facilities or companies that register would never have the opportunity to to improve our businesses, and to form 4. three or more attendees by April 15 will be have so much expertise in one place at lasting friendships with others in the entered into a drawing for one day’s use of one time. It really brings together the industry — the ones you can call on year- a poolside party cabana! best of the best and allows all of us a round for ideas and help.” chance to hear what they do. Each year Mangelsdorf says it pays to “jump I continue to gain ideas and informa- in” and be as social as possible — and The earlier you register, the greater your tion, along with many great professional never underestimate the professional odds of winning one of these incredible rewards. What are you waiting for? ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 17 Tipsfor a Successful Conference Experience ∏∏ Register early to take advantage of the early ∏∏ Use your time wisely. You can find time for bird discount and to increase your odds of fun and recreation without skipping out on winning a fabulous Caesars Palace upgrade the opportunities for which you are attend- (see details at right). ing. And don’t leave early!

∏∏ If you wish to share the expense and the con- ∏∏ Make contacts. Ask your friends and col- ference experience with a roommate, add your leagues to introduce you to others, and name to the roommate list bulletin board on don’t be afraid to introduce yourself. Collect the ISI Web site (skateisi.org) and contact pro- business cards (and don’t forget to take a spective roommates on the list. (Please note good supply of your own). that this is not a roommate matching service; year marks Boettge’s first conference. He says he was inspired to attend after it is simply a bulletin board for members’ con- ∏∏ Attend your district meeting to find out about venience, and all roommate communication news, activities and developments in your participating in the District 9 seminar, should be directly between the participants.) area and to stay in touch with others in your where ISI staff led an informative discus- toto thethe district. Likewise, attend your section meet- sion about skater retention and innovative programming ideas. ∏∏ A “buddy system” will be offered this year for ing to keep you current and informed on topics first-time attendees or anyone who wishes to specific to your area of expertise. “I learned so much from the one-day maximize their conference experience by being seminar that I knew immediately that I wanted to attend the conference and partnered with a conference “mentor.” Re- ∏∏ Take your newly gained information and knowl- quest a mentor at skateisi.org. edge home with you, and apply it within the trade show,” Boettge recalls. “It made me Ice Arena ConferenceVEGAS & Trade Show realize that all managers face the same VEGAS next two to four weeks, while it is still fresh. difficulties, from dwindling public session ∏∏ Review the conference session schedule in LAS numbers to human resource issues, and LAS advance and select those that expand your ∏∏ Instructors, bring your skates! You won’t want knowledge and expose you to new information to miss the on-ice sessions. there is a lot to be learned from others and concepts. who have been in these 10 situations. I believe that 0 ∏∏ Be an active participant in educational ses- 2 sions, roundtables and networking. Ask conference will give me questions, share your experiences and ex- the opportunity to meet change contact information. others in the industry and give myself more resourc- es for decision making. It’s important to network with others and be open to dif- potential of impromptu conversations ferent ideas and opinions.” during coffee breaks, over lunch, stroll- Don’t forget about the ing through the trade show, at planned benefits of being an atten- as well as spontaneous social gatherings tive trade show attendee. — even poolside and in the hotel bar. “The trade show allows us Stephanie Skrzypek of Homewood- to see the newest products Flossmoor Ice Arena in Illinois, describes By the same token, she points out, and supplies in the ice arena industry,” conference networking as “priceless”: it is important for conference and trade Petsch says. “It provides a hands-on op- “Any time you can learn from someone show attendees to bring their ideas to portunity to check them out before else’s mistake before making the same the table: “As professionals, we have buying, and to make connections with one, you save time, headaches and frus- valuable feedback and opinions to share companies that you might choose to do tration. There’s no need to reinvent the with those just starting out, with vendors business with in the future.” wheel when we work in a field full of looking to revamp their products or mar- Show up, speak up and consider people willing to share their own suc- keting and with industry leaders who rely Mulso’s conference philosophy: “The cesses and failures.” on us as front-line people. We all succeed only way we can be accepted as true Skrzypek says she finds that each when we are willing to give and take, and professionals and have our clients and conference she attends offers new infor- help each other.” customers see us in this light is to be mation and experiences for her to take As the industry evolves and enters its informed and educated in our field. One back to her facility. “The sport has grown next era, the ISI welcomes new members of the easiest ways to get this is to attend and the resources have changed. Attend- and first-time conference attendees, such the ISI Conference & Trade Show.” ing conference is a great way to keep up as Phil Boettge of St. Peters Rec-Plex in Check out the tips above (left), and with trends and make sure your programs Missouri. While his facility and some of the conference and trade show informa- are up to par.” its staff are long-time ISI members, this tion on the following pages.

18 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 Ice Skating Institute

toto thethe Ice Skating Institute Ice ArenaLASLAS Conference VEGASVEGAS & Trade Show 2010 Caesars Palace Las Vegas, Nevada June 1-4, 2010 ISI Marketing ISI Vegas A Sure& Bet for 2010!

his is no time to play games with your professional development. Now more than ever, your participation in the Networking TIce Arena Conference & Trade Show is key to boosting your industry knowledge and building your competitive advantage. During an economic downturn, some make the mistake of cutting back on ISI the very activities that best position them for success. But not all spending cuts are smart cuts. Don’t let short-term thinking lead to a long-term mistake! Register today for the ice arena industry event of the year, and get ready to take home ideas, information and insights for surviving the tough times and thriving once they’re behind us. See you in Vegas!

ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 PROSPECTUS19 8 a .m . 9 a m. . 10 a .m . 11 a .m . Noon 1 p .m . 2 p .m . 15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45

Jubilee! Backstage Tour Conference (Additional Fee Required) Opening & Keynote: John Wagner CAE Class

Tuesday • June 1 June • Tuesday (Additional Fee Required)

Developing Your Time Keeping Your Philosophy of Management Ice on the Level Hiring Quality Employee Ice Painting Facility Management Employees Supervision Techniques Dasher Financial Antimicrobial Maintenance Administration Protection Hockey AED Programming Machines The Fine Print: Harness Your 101 Jumps & Spins Jumping Edgework Potential

On-Ice Sessions On-Ice Jill Shipstad Thomas

& Power Skating weSKATE Intermediate Wednesday • June 2 June • Wednesday

Hiring Group Efficient Minors Sales Upgrades & Grant Opportunities Computer Developing Air Quality Programs for Trade Show Girls’ & Women’s Your Facility with Hockey Get the Lead Out (Off-Ice Classes) Judges’ Presentations & Buffet Lunch Russian Workshop Roulette: Thursday • June 3 June • Thursday Taxing Times

Electronic Creating Marketing in Corporate Today’s World Partnerships

Learn-to-Play Liability Hockey Classes Insurance: Stories & Solutions Networking Awards Luncheon Picasso n’ Playtime: Open Freestyle Roundtables & Closing Remarks Ice Art & Games

Do Computers Friday • June 4 June • Friday Send U Over Can U Hear THE EDGE? Me Now?

15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45 8 a .m . 9 a .m . 10 a .m . 11 a .m . Noon 1 p .m . 2 p .m . 20 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 2 p .m . 3 p .m . 4 p .m . 5 p .m . 6 p .m . 7 p .m . 8 p .m . 15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45

Commitment = Success Conference Hot Topic Hockey Skills Tuesday: District President’s Opening & Keynote: Competitions Small Group Meetings Reception John Wagner Networking Putting the Sex n’ Sizzle in Your Business

Employee Exceptional General Supervision Guest Services Hockey Section Meeting Trade Show Opening Generational AED Gaps in Machines Management & Special Events Instructor Section Cocktail Reception Jill Shipstad Thomas Meeting

Skating

Efficient Human Upgrades & Grant Resources Opportunities Working with Professional Developing Hockey Clubs Management Trade Show Girls’ & Women’s Dealing with Hockey Rink Rage Rink & with Section Operations He Did WHAT in Your Class?! inCREDIBLE: Presentations & Buffet Lunch ISI Testing Meetings weSKATE weSKATE Intermediate Intermediate Meetings Testing

TRADE SHOW EXHIBITORS REGISTRATION

• Arena supplies • Insurance • Computer Software • Lighting • Consulting Services • Lockers • Dasherboards • Refrigeration systems Register Online! • Dehumidification • Scoreboards • Design/engineering • Skates skateisi org. Schedule • Flooring • Skate Sharpeners Subject to • Ice paint • Skating apparel Change • Ice resurfacers • ... and more

15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45 15 30 45 2 p .m . 3 p m. . 4 p .m . 5 p .m . 6 p .m . 7 p .m . 8 p .m . ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 21 to the Ice ArenaLAS Conference VEGAS & Trade Show 2010

What do Las Vegas & ISI have in common?

Both believe that business should be fun! Like ISI, the City of Lights offers a unique, contagious energy. Vegas continues to be one of the most popular and preferred destinations for ISI Conference and Trade Show attendees as well as exhibitors. Our venue this year is Caesars Palace, one of the world’s best-known resort-casinos. Reigning at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, Caesars offers 26 diverse restaurants and cafes, the 4.5-acre Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis, a world-class spa and 240,000 square feet of premium meeting and convention space. Options for after-business hours are endless, from the on-site social scene to the hundreds of clubs and shows ISI group rate: $119 within walking distance. Caesars Palace’s prime location is minutes away Reservation desk: (866) 227-5944 Reservation deadline: April 29 from McCarran International Airport. isi skaters are GOING PLACES in 2010

2010

Feb. 12-14 July 26-31 Anaheim ICE - Anaheim, CA New England Sports Center - Marlboro, MA March 26-28 Entry & Test Deadline: Dec. 1 Entry & Test Deadline: May 1 Miami University - Oxford, OH Entry Deadline: Jan. 15

CHAMP DULT IONSHLT CHAMPION I A ADUIP SHI IS ISI S PS 2010 2010

ISI ARTISTIC CHALLENGEISI ARTISTIC CHALLENGE LAS VEGALASS VEGASCHICAGOCHICAGO 2010 2010 Oct. 8-10 Dec. 10-12 Las Vegas Ice Center - Las Vegas, NV Northbrook Sports Center - Northbrook, IL Entry & Test Deadline: Aug. 15 Entry & Test Deadline: Oct. 15

Go to www.skateisi.org for entry forms and additional event details Management Matters The True Test in Sean Flynn, CAM, CAP, CAO ISI Director of Management Programs & Services Tough Times

s I travel throughout the country on facility visits, one While that may be easy for most arena managers when business of the first things that comes up is cutbacks. Budget is strong and operating smoothly, the true test is how you A cutbacks, employee cutbacks, ice time commitment respond when times are tough. cutbacks … the list goes on and on. We all know that times are Are you confident enough to think outside the box for ad- tough and the current economic conditions are taking their toll. ditional, innovative ways to increase revenue? Can you reach Guess what? Every industry out to other industry professionals is going through this. Now is What are you doing to for ideas? And more important, if the time to ask yourself, “Am I you do have the ability to reach out going to sit here and pout about make YOURSELF more to other professionals, do you? it, or am I going to do some- Another issue is that many fa- thing about it?” As a manager, valuable to your facility? cilities are cutting back on staff and your attitude means a lot. What reorganizing the chain of command are the employees seeing from you on a daily basis? Is it a to give additional responsibilities to their more valued em- go-get-’em mentality or is it a down-in-the-dumps attitude? ployees. However, in some cases, the employees who are being Others in your facility will feed off of your emotion and your moved into ice arena management because of their proven leadership (or lack thereof); it is up to you to create the BEST ability to get the job done in other areas are coming in with little culture that you can. or no specific ice arena experience. So, to the new manager/ Because times are tough, more is expected of the manage- skating director/operations employee: What are you doing to ment team. During difficult times, it is more important than learn the ins and outs of this business? Moreover, what are you ever to raise participation levels and bring in increased revenue. doing to make YOURSELF more valuable to your facility?

The Sixth Annual School of Ice Technologies June 6-11 You’ll master key ice-making and maintenance skills and techniques at the 2010 School of Ice Technologies. Arena Sessions Interactive workshops include: Prudential Center • Refrigeration theory and maintenance Newark, N.J. • HVAC and dehumidification Home of the NHL’s • Energy management New Jersey Devils • Building conversions The School of Ice • Ice-making and installation Classroom Sessions Technologies is jointly • Resurfacer operation and maintenance hosted by the International Crowne Plaza Hotel • Dasher installation and maintenance Association of Assembly Fairfield, N.J. Managers Inc. and the Ice Skating Institute.

Sponsered by: ARID-Ice by CDIMS Becker Arena Products Inc. Cimco Refrigeration Davis Mechanical Service Inc. FMC Ice Sports Jet Ice Limited

24 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 What if I told you that the answer is actually simple? There perience, you’ll want to take “what happens in Vegas” back to are ways to accomplish all of the above, just by making a small your facility to make it the best it can be. investment in your personal and professional development. One common misconception is that you need to be an This is the time to make the decision for your future: sign up arena manager to participate in ISI’s management programs. for one of ISI’s professional development programs, which are You do not need to be a manager to attend conference nor to enroll in the iAIM program. Everyone in this industry can You do not need to be benefit from either or both of these offerings. In fact, if you are even out there looking for a job, you should be at the ISI Con- a manager to attend ference, especially for its networking opportunities. Get your name out there, make the contacts. conference nor to enroll Stop what you are doing. Ask yourself, “Am I being the best manager I can be? Am I doing all I can for my facility?” in the iAIM program. These can be tough questions to ask yourself, because sometimes the honest answer is not what you want it to be. second to none in the industry. Between the ISI Ice Arena Con- The final stanza of an anonymously penned poem titled “The ference & Trade Show and the iAIM program, you have two Man in the Glass” reminds us that, at the end of the day, we outstanding opportunities to invest in your future. must face ourselves: Making the choice to attend the ISI conference is a no- brainer. Where else do you have the opportunity to sample You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years a wide variety of classes geared to this industry, and even And get pats on the back as you pass. customize your curriculum to best suit your own needs and in- But your final reward will be heartache and tears terests? Where else can you network with the best and brightest If you’ve cheated the man in the glass. industry professionals from all over the country? Where else can you accomplish a year’s worth of education, development The quest for knowledge is a great one. I challenge and networking in one fantastic location over a period of just a everyone who is reading this column to commit to further few days? your education and commit to being the best you can be. As As you know, this year’s conference will be held at Caesars an added bonus, e-mail your thoughts on this column by April 1 Palace in Las Vegas. You’ll no doubt have a great time, but to [email protected] to be entered into a drawing for a free when it comes to what you will gain from your conference ex- conference registration.

ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 25 preventative Preventive Measures for by Clarice Tunison HR ISSUES he thrill of seeing once-wobbly legs go from struggling to steady atop the narrow blades of ice skates is pure joy for those who make their living Tin the skating industry. But teaching people to skate isn’t all there is to this business for ice arena owners and managers or skating and hockey directors. Hiring great people and being a fair, law-abiding employer come first. But how do you know where to start? Whether you own an ice arena or a pizza shop, many of the laws are the same when it comes to employment. This list of top five human resources issues spells out some important basics and is a good place to begin. I Hiring Practices

An up-to-date job description that clearly spells out the posi- ∏∏ Overtime: This policy tells employees which hours tion’s functions, as well as the knowledge and skills needed worked count as overtime in accordance with state and to do the job, should be your starting point. Job descriptions federal law and company policy. aren’t mandated by state or federal law, but they give employers ∏∏ Employment-at-will: A clearly stated, highly visible a great chance to determine the essential functions of a position statement should be communicated to all employees. before placing a help-wanted ad. The Equal Employment Op- ∏∏ Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): This policy portunity Commission (EEOC) offers the kind of evidence you affirms an employer’s commitment to equal opportunities might consider when deciding if a job function is essential. for each employee. Creating or updating a job description before hiring may ∏∏ Sexual Harassment and Non-harassment: Every benefit you in several ways, including help you comply with the employer should have a policy prohibiting harassment Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and determine exempt in the workplace, and the policy should define harass- vs. non-exempt job classification under the Fair Labor Stan- ment, provide examples and explain procedures for filing dards Act (FLSA). a complaint. II Employee Handbooks III Harassment Once your new employee is on board, you need policies and Harassment based on sex, race, color, religion, age, national procedures in place. Employee handbooks provide a means to origin, disability or any other protected class is prohibited by communicate company policies and key information to em- federal, state and, in some cases, local law. Sexual harassment ployees — and they can help employers, too, with things like is the most common form of harassment in the workplace, and setting ground rules of employee conduct. there are two types: Handbooks should be written or reviewed by legal counsel ∏∏ Quid Pro Quo: Literally meaning “this for that.” Often, to ensure the document doesn’t create an implied employment sexual favors are demanded in return for a promotion contract or expose the employer to litigation. When developing or job benefit. Or an employee may be threatened with your employee handbook, you may want to specifically spell punishment such as termination or demotion if requests out policies regarding issues where problems commonly arise, aren’t met. including holidays, vacation, sick days and dating in the work- ∏∏ Hostile Work Environment: An intimidating, hostile or place. offensive work environment occurs when unwelcome Among the policies you are strongly recommended to sexual conduct is pervasive or severe enough to change include in your employee handbook are: the conditions in which an employee works.

26 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 3069 ISI Edge_3069 ISI Edge 2/8/10 10:32 AM Page 1

To help avoid liability in harassment claims, employers ™ should: consider having a clear, strongly stated company policy prohibiting harassment; communicate the policy to all employ- Arid-Ice ees; provide non-harassment training; and make sure the policy Controlled Dehumidification Solutions is enforced. IV Workers’ Compensation Insurance Anyone who has fallen on the ice knows it hurts — and that you can be injured. Workers’ compensation insurance, which is required in most states, provides certain benefits for employees injured on the job. Workers’ compensation insurance provides financial benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries or ill- Don’t Rob Your nesses. The statute doesn’t provide for mandatory leave, but employees hurt on the job must be treated the same as employ- ees injured when they’re not at work. Refrigeration You could consider the following if an employee suffers an on-the-job injury or illness: System to ∏∏ Family Medical Leave Act — Does the worker qualify for FMLA leave or a similar state leave law? (An employee can collect workers’ comp benefits while on FMLA leave.) Dehumidify ∏∏ Company Disability Leave — If an employer offers a disability leave for non-work related injuries or illnesses, it must do the same for those that are work-related. Your Rink. ∏∏ Americans with Disabilities Act — On-the-job injuries may result in a disability covered under the ADA or ARID-Ice™ similar state laws, and an employer may need to make reasonable accommodations for an otherwise qualified is the most effective and efficient individual with a disability. gas fired desiccant system using reactivation recovery options and V Employee Discipline and dew point controls to maximize Termination performance and minimize total You certainly don’t expect it when you hire an individual, but you may one day find yourself needing to reprimand — or even energy consumption. fire — that person. As with other HR matters, there are laws ARID-Ice units are equipped to reduce humidity levels, and policies to guide you in this situation. eliminate indoor condensation and fog, prevent mold, Employment-at-will, a common law doctrine followed reduce refrigeration costs and improve indoor air quality, in most states, generally allows an employer to terminate an these systems utilize natural gas, steam or electric employee at any time, with or without cause or notice — with reactivation. CDIMS is the premier supplier of desiccant the exception of circumstances prohibited by law. This doctrine dehumidifiers. We have provided equipment for over 300 also generally applies only to those who aren’t covered by a col- skating surfaces throughout North America from 500 to lective bargaining agreement or employment contract. 45,000 SCFM. Taking a series of warning steps is a common way of dealing with employee performance issues or violations. The For ARID-Ice sales and equipment use of progressive discipline gives the employee clear expecta- tions and makes them aware of consequences. Following these specifications, call 810-229-7900. steps and documenting them gives an employer a “paper trail” should the employee file charges.

Clarice Tunison is a premier HR national manager for Roch- 5931 Ford Court ester, N.Y.-based Paychex Inc., which provides payroll and Brighton, MI 48116 human resources products and services to more than a half- [email protected] million businesses nationwide. Controlled Dehumidification Solutions www.cdims.com

ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 27 Put Best Skate

Your Forward!by Julia Smith Build your bottom line with increased ISI event participation

Want to make Admirable, but unless you’re indepen- money, and yet, individual skater devel- dently wealthy, you need working capital. opment does little to increase the rev- more money and Three ways exist to maintain a business: enues of a rink. Coaches who position benefit others? 1. Get paid for providing a service themselves by creating cost-effective or product. skater development for their clients while conomic woes continue to grow as 2. Develop the first sale into a re- considering the “big picture” at the rink revenues and profits shrink. But peat client. serve as the greatest benefit to both cli- Eyou need not participate in this trend. 3. Establish good will, a relationship ents and rinks. What if thinking “outside the box” could for the greater good recognized To create different results requires help build your bottom line? Would you by others as a positive benefit. different actions — whether at a com- be willing to stretch beyond your comfort The above methods create value. petition or in your relationship with rink zone? When money is tight, it’s all about the management. It can start with one per- I’m not talking about greed. Busi- value. You hear (or say): “I don’t have the son, and you can be the catalyst. nesses need profits to survive. It’s simple money for that ... but I have the money Your actions can benefit yourself, the economics. You may be a coach who for this.” That’s because the first item rink and your client, creating a winning loves coaching so much that you’d teach doesn’t hold the same value for you as the situation for all. This is true value. for nothing if you could. Perhaps you’re a second. Thus, value translates into con- rink owner/manager who wants to give tinuous cash flow and staying in business. your child or grandchild a place to par- Skating is an expensive sport. De- Goals for increasing ticipate in a sport that you grew up loving. veloping a skater requires considerable your revenues

•• Goal No. 1 – Increase the num- ber of competition participants from existing clients. If you have four skaters going to Worlds, interest two more for a total of six, increasing your event fees. The four families already committed to attending would love to have their expenses slashed. If each of the four families would be paying $150 to cover your expenses and participation increases to six, the first four families just saved $50 each. They’ll love telling others about the fun and the benefits, and the word will spread. • Client benefits: Reduced competition expenses. • Rink benefits: More ice time purchased, along with secondary benefits of more vending sales, skate sharpen- Adding one event to each skater’s competition schedule contributes to skater ing, etc. development and more team points.

28 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 ••Goal No. 2 – Add one event to all areas of skating. Here’s a short list of each skater’s competition sched- skater issues and solutions: • ule. If last year you took four • Panics during a forgotten pro- skaters, each skating one event, gram, try the Interpretive event. • for a total of four events, this year • Stumbles through footwork, try take six skaters, each skating two the Footwork event. • events, for a total of 12 events. It • Doesn’t connect with the music, takes effort on your part, but it is try the Artistic event. • worth it — it pays. • Says there’s no fun in skating any- * Client benefits: Developmen- more, try the Spotlight events. • tal benefits for the skater • Skater wants to skate with friends,

depending on the event try the Team Compulsories chosen. Cost-effective way to event. • develop skater and increase • Skater wants to participate with judging exposure. best friend, try the Couples event. Rink benefits * : More par- ISI’s variety of competition events provides ticipants means more points options for skaters who wish to participate and better rink placement at The action plan with friends. competition, translating into Once you’ve established your goals, you you know, until they know how more media exposure, e.g., need an action plan to achieve them. much you care.” press releases and feature ••Talk to management about using Discuss realistic goals with the par- stories. underutilized group class time ents, focusing on the areas in which the to teach and promote a specialty skater needs the most improvement for Deciding which class for skaters who used to take the coming competitive season. For in- group classes and now rely on stance, some skaters may not connect events to add private instruction. well with their music or scratch through • he design of the ISI competition •Talk value, not expense, to your their footwork section. Most likely, the format methodically develops clients. Theodore Roosevelt once parents will agree with you, but lament, T said, “No one cares how much “What can we do?” Explain that the skater

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ISI EDGE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010 29 • needs exercises, practice and quantifiable Parent’s perspective “My coach un- • Retention of existing customers goals. To develop the program, develop derstands my child’s needs, and wants to is always more cost-effective than the components. work with me in the most cost-effective the search for new ones. Talk to parents to address and alleviate manner possible. A group class costs potential objections, focusing on benefits: very little compared to private instruc- Rink benefits •• Cost-effective solutions tion. She’ll be having fun with her friends. ••Additional revenues from group Group class provides skills • We can save money by cutting the music class participants — and much used in program. from songs my coach knows my skater more. Parent/skater provides • enjoys. I’m so happy to not need another •• Group class skaters always want musical pieces of the correct new dress, and getting another event at to know what is next in their duration for coach’s approval. competition puts her in front of judges development. Seeing more ad- Skeleton program put to- • an extra time for more experience. Since vanced skaters is always beneficial gether in one extra lesson. we’re already spending a certain amount to retaining clients. Use existing attire from pre- • to travel to the competition, and the en- •• Parents love talking about their vious competition. try fees are reasonable, she should par- skater, and when rookie parents During regular lesson, check • ticipate in as many events as possible. ask, experienced skating parents the improvement of the What’s an extra lesson to put the program want to share their accomplish- program. together? This is a real deal!” ments and their path to this level, ISI second events offer re- • thereby promoting rink programs duced fees. Coach benefits from a third-party perspective. •• Developmental benefits • • Empowers skater to work on •Additional revenue from teaching creating signature moves. the group class. Long-term gains • • Establishes the primary goal • Extra lesson and competition fees. •• Good will with parent and your • of skating with emotion to • Skater shows improvement and employer. the music. you look better to skating parents. ••A better skater, more likely to stay • •• Result: An improved skater with • Finding ways to create value for with skating because of improv- better competition placements the customer makes you more ing results. evolves. valuable to your employer. ••A happy parent who witnesses

Improve your bottom line, both short- and long-term!

ISI Administrative members can enjoy substantial returns by registering class or recreational skaters with ISI. ISI skating directors can earn rewards for registering Individual skater members to their arena/club as well as registering NEW Professional members. It’s easy money. Give it a try, and see how ISI works for YOU!

For more information, see the packet recently mailed to your facility or call the ISI office at (972) 735-8800.

30 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 contact local television and radio stations and arrange for a feature story in the newspaper. Free publicity delights rink owners, managers and parents. Outside-the-box thinking creates value for all parties concerned and leads you to much better results, including financial gain. Before taking an action, evaluate the positive impacts for yourself, your rink and your clients. To keep the focus on value, brainstorm to identify ob- jections and solutions. Curtail thoughts 2007 ISI Worlds team champion Franklin Park Ice Arena proved that a small, older of cost by focusing on the benefits and facility can score big with a strong program. increased value to your customers. Inside-the-box thinking = current the improvement and recognizes this change is but a trickle, but results. Outside-the-box thinking = im- the value of a modest investment, remembers that the origin of proved results. Restructure the way you along with the concern you exhib- Niagara Falls is but a trickle that think about a problem, and solutions ap- ited. Parents who view it as an in- builds and builds and builds. pear in an altogether different manner. vestment rather than an extra cost Let the dialogue and profits begin! are ecstatic parents who are loyal This is the snowball effect in action. and helpful, e.g., they volunteer at Just start the ball rolling, and it gets big- A longtime ISI and PSA member, Julia your rink competition and encour- ger. And what happens when it gets big- Smith is a coach and former skating di- age others to enroll their children. ger? You have fun with more skaters who rector who has worked in both private •• Meet with management as a enter more events such as ISI World Rec- and public arenas in various regions. follow-up to starting a specialty reational Team Championships — and She has served as judge and assistant class. Consider other classes you place in the top 10. You acquire brag- referee with ISI and SkateAsia, and on or perhaps a special summer ging rights and create a press release to committees for PSA ratings and hock- clinic. Management recognizes announce your team’s accomplishments, ey certification.

Improve your bottom line, both short- and long-term!

ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 31 ISI Judge Certification Tests

Congratulations to the following instructors who have recently passed ISI judge certification tests:

Theresa Semmelmayer Michelle Madaras GOLD SILVER Lynn Sommer Justin Morrow Heather Bochenski-Dirksen Kristin Adamczyk Rebecca Stevens Brittney Pfister Jennifer Campanella Sarah Ailts Courtney Thompson Marian Schneekloth Howard Chilton Rachelle Beauchesne Cassandra Vogel Theresa Semmelmayer Tessa Christensen Heather Bochenski-Dirksen Stefanie Zukowski Joseph Simmons Sharon Funderburk Correll Kaitlin Bueneman Tara TenEyck Cassandra Vogel Kelly Karow Allison Cahill BRONZE Julie Malmen-Allan Howard Chilton Linda Monney Tessa Christensen Kaitlin Bueneman SYNCHRO Christine Morris Vanessa Davis Rebecca Cacioppo Lynn Sommer Genevieve Dewyea Howard Chilton Courtney Gragg Rebecca Stevens Garnet Fiordalisi Tessa Christensen Samantha Guterres Amanda Whitacre Amanda Hauk Kathleen Elias Ann Harschutz Glenn Ziehnert Kelly Karow Amanda Hauk Shelly Millard Alyssa Katzoff Stephanie Hernandez Sandra Pelko Amanda Kennedy Amanda Kennedy Lisa Smith Katherine Kopp Cara Klingseis Brittney Pfister Adam Leib

he value of teamwork Tlies in the fact that it TEAMWORK allows us to achieve the impossible; it enables us to move mountains which as makes the individuals we could never accomplish. Together we set and raise DREAM WORK the bar of coaches education throughout the year long opportunities of workshops, seminars, PACE programs, E-learning courses and the annual PSA International Conference and Trade Show. Join us and achieve your dreams - they are within reach!

www.skatepsa.com PSA

32 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 ISI World Recreational Team Championships 2010

July 26-31 New England Sports Center • Marlboro, MA Entry & Test Deadline: May 1 Discover the Exciting Worlds of ISI!

Navigate northeastward for the 30th Annual ISI World Championships. By popular demand, ISI returns to the two-story New England Sports Center for the largest annual recreational ice skating competition on the planet. The spa- cious center offers everything needed for a FOR MORE INFORMATION wonderful Worlds: five rinks under one roof, a skateisi.org bostonusa.com full-service restaurant, plentiful parking and a www.nes.com perfect tourist location near Boston. Plans are in the works for a harbor cruise, always a hit Schedule and venue subject to change. with fun-loving Worlds competitors.

ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 33 Association Reports NorthEast Ice Skating Managers’ Wisconsin Ice Arena Management Association (NEISMA) Association (WIAMA) by Ed Peduto, President by Craig Petersen, 2nd Vice President

The Boston area was abuzz with “hockey talk” It’s not too late to register for the Wisconsin not seen since the Bobby Orr era of the 1970s. Ice Arena Management Association’s 19th Unlike the Orr era, it was not a champion- Annual Spring Conference and Golf Outing, ship team creating the buzz but a 200-by-85 which will be held April 21-23 at the Kalahari sheet of ice built in that “lyric little bandbox Resort in Wisconsin Dells, with the golf outing of a ballpark,” as Updike referred to it. Fenway portion at Trappers Turn. Park’s rink, open for three weeks, hosted the WIAMA will be offering both a manage- NHL’s “Winter Classic” between the Bruins and Flyers on Jan. 1, ment and a figure skating track for attendees to choose from. a BC-BU game on Jan. 8, public skating sessions with skaters The management track will include topics such as marketing chosen by lottery and many ice rental sessions rumored to your facility, public relations, air quality testing, outdoor hock- be selling from $7,500 to $ 10,000 per hour. Many nonprofits ey events, fundraising, grant writing and energy management. hosted fundraisers on the ice sheet, the most notable game The figure skating track will include a panel discussion on pro- being the sold-out (38,000+) Bruins’ Legends game on Jan. 2. gram organization. Tickets were in high demand; scalpers didn’t limit themselves Along with the many educational topics and well-versed to the spectator events, offering up the much-coveted ducats guest speakers, the WIAMA spring conference will also offer to skate on the “frozen Fenway” sessions requested by Mayor a variety of networking opportunities, including our nightly Tom Menino. social in the WIAMA condo, bowling and our walking dinner Many NEISMA members were involved with pulling off with trade show on Thursday. Also on Thursday, we will hold the various events, none more than Alan Page and the men the annual WIAMA business meeting during lunch, where all of RECCO, who ran the lines from the refrigeration trailer WIAMA members will be voting in three new board members: (itself a sight to behold) to the two sheets built for the NHL’s two members at-large and a second vice president. showpiece event. When cameras panned away from the regu- For more details, registration information and the agenda lation sheet, a second surface featured children skating on for the spring conference, please check out WIAMA’s Web site ISI Banners & the smaller, pond-like sheet assembled in deep center field. at wiama.com. Other members helped with the ice crew and provided rental skates to customers afforded the opportunity to glide across Dasher Graphics Kenmore Square. Metropolitan Ice Rink Managers To order, go to www.skateisi.org, RECCO hosted NEISMA directors past and present to a tour of the rink operations on Jan. 5. Former NEISMA Association (MIRMA) Banners & Dashers Presidents Al Tyldesley and Norman Reid joined Secretary by Lisa Fedick, Secretary Gary Pokraka and me for a tour of the temporary rink. The hour-plus in the January cold was more than enough time MIRMA member arenas are enjoying the to determine that watching an outdoor game in January for tail of the excitement from the 2010 Winter several hours is reserved for those heartier than me. Olympics. Now our work begins, as we strive With warmer temperatures and longer days ahead, NEIS- to move our newest participants through the MA prepares to host its 2010 spring conference May 3-5 in customer life cycle and make them skaters Mystic, Conn. We hope that the easy daytrip combined with for life. the lure of the two nearby casinos will attract a crowd. All MIRMA was privileged to host both managers should be seeking efficiency ideas, many of which David and Jimmie Santee at our 2009 instructors’ seminar. will be readily available at the trade show, which our vendors With the support of the ISI agreement with the PSA, this work so hard to prepare for. well-attended event drove home the point that skating is the Sadly, I must report the passing of perennial NEISMA same, regardless of one’s professional affiliation(s). Cup Referee “Ned” Bunyon. Ned owned New England Sports The 2010 Lake Placid Riverdale Ice competition was a Products Associates and officiated thousands of hockey games larger event than last year and provided a jumpstart to the over a career spanning more than four decades. A fellow BC Olympic excitement for skaters throughout the Northeast. Eagle, I will greatly miss Ned in my rink … “for Boston!” Ted Kelton introduced two newly created events that were

Editor’s note: Please send reports and news for the ISI EDGE to [email protected], two months prior to publication. For instance, information to be considered for the May/June issue should be submitted the first week

of March; for the July/August issue, the first week of May, etc.

34 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 well received by skaters and coaches. The Essex Hunt Club captured the team championship trophy, which was highlight- ed by its fabulous production extravaganza performance. The Sacred Heart University Skating Club will be hosting its first Pioneer Open competition March 27-28 at the Won- Classified Advertising derland of Ice in Bridgeport, Conn. Representatives from the FOR SALE — 1999 Zamboni Model 552 electric ice re- SHU admissions office will be available to provide information to prospective students throughout the event, and all skaters surfacer. 5,930 hours. Includes Trojan 280 volt charger. are welcome to participate. Minimum bid that will be accepted is $15,000. For more The sixth annual MIRMA ISI District 3 “Skate for Knowl- information, contact Brian or Bob at (303) 403-2598 or edge” Championships will be held April 11 at the Floyd Hall [email protected]. Arena in Little Falls, N.J. MIRMA has again opened up this event, as well as the scholarship competition, to all ISI members. MIRMA will continue its commitment to the education FOR SALE — Zamboni 550, Serial No. 3031 electric ice of our membership by conducting multiple weSKATE instruc- resurfacer. In working condition, charger included. $5,000 tor seminars throughout the district. Any arena that would or best offer. FOB Portland, OR. New Zamboni coming in like to host a one-day seminar for its staff may contact me at [email protected]. next month, must make room. Great relief machine when For more information on any event, please visit our Web primary machine goes down. For details, contact Don at site at skateMIRMA.org. I am collecting questions, com- (503) 288-6073 or [email protected]. ments and concerns to present to the full ISI board at our May meeting at the Las Vegas conference. Everyone can make a dif- ference, so please speak up and help us help you! FOR SALE — (1) Model 440 Zamboni, built in 1997; 5,038 hours. (80+) 16” metal halide aluminum lights, in- cluding ballasts and bulbs. (1) Model 821F Blademaster Single-Wheel Custom Radius Skate Sharpening Ma- ISI Banners & chine with Fan BR3000 and cover. Contact Nick Flaskay Dasher Graphics at [email protected] or (813) 240-6065. To order, go to www.skateisi.org, Banners & Dashers Free ClassifiedA dvertising for ISI Members! ISI facility and professional members are entitled to FREE classified listings (excluding retail products and services) up to 50 words. Call Carol Jackson at (972) 735-8800, fax to (972) 735-8815 or send e-mail to [email protected].

ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 35 CALENDAR 20-21 Anaheim CA 24-25 Pasadena CA KHS Ice Arena Pasadena Ice Skating Center ISI-endorsed competitions & shows/exhibitions Jump into Spring 26th Annual ISI Open Competition Deadline for the next EDGE calendar: March 15 For regular calendar updates, see 21 Dallas TX 30-May 2 McKinney TX www.skateisi.org, Event Info Galleria Ice Skating Center Dr Pepper StarCenter 26th Annual State of Texas ISI Team ISI 2010 District 11 Championships

Competition

COMPETITIONS MAY 1-2 El Segundo CA Toyota Sports Center MARCH 2010 Spring Fling Open Competition 6-7 Minneapolis MN 1-2 Great Neck NY SportsQuest Skating Academy-Parade Andrew Stergiopoulos Ice Rink 2010 Blades of March ISI Open Competition 6th Annual Long Island Classic 6-7 San Diego CA 26-28 Oxford OH 14-16 Acton MA San Diego Ice Arena Miami University Sharper Edge Skating School California State Games ISI Synchronized Skating Championships 11th Annual Skater’s Cup 6-7 Wasilla AK 22 Wellesley MA Brett Memorial Ice Arena 26-28 Tacoma WA Babson College Skating School Iditarod Days Skatefest Sprinker Recreation Center Babson Blast 23rd Annual ISI Spring Fever Competition 6-7 Belmont CA Belmont Iceland 27 Yorktown VA JUNE 2010 Silver Spoon Hampton Roads IcePlex 4-6 New York NY 3rd Annual Spring Fling Open 12-14 Park Ridge IL Sky Rink @ Chelsea Piers Oakton Ice Arena 27-28 Riverside CA 24th Annual ISI Team Competition Ice Breaker Classic Ice Town Riverside Icetown Orange Twist Open 12-14 Lewis Center OH JULY 17 Wilmette IL Chiller North 27-28 Peoria IL Centennial Ice Rinks Chiller Spring Classic Owens Recreation Center Mid-Summer Classic Spring Thaw 12-14 Vancouver WA Mt. View Ice Arena Shamrock Open 2010 APRIL 9-11 Knoxville TN 13 Pittsburgh PA Ice Chalet RMU Island Sports Center 41st Annual Robert Unger Competition 2010 Shamrock Skate 9-11 Orleans MA 13-14 Natick MA Charles Moore Arena 2010 FMC William Chase Arena 32nd Lower Cape ISI Team Competition 39th Annual ISI Competition 26-31 Marlboro MA 17-18 Monsey NY 13-14 Jefferson City MO New England Sports Center Sport-O-Rama Ice Rinks Washington Park Ice Arena 30th Annual ISI World Recreational Team Sport-O-Rama Spring Classic 17th Annual Capital City Classic Championships 17-18 San Mateo CA 19-22 Oak Lawn IL Ice Center San Mateo Oak Lawn Park District Ice Arena District 14 Team Championships 30th District 8 Championships SEPTEMBER 24-25 Johnstown PA 11-12 Valencia CA 20-21 Saratoga Springs NY Planet Ice Ice Station Valencia Saratoga Springs FSC Spring Challenge Championship 5th Annual Autumn Classic Competition 13th Annual Saratoga Springs Invitational

20-21 San Francisco CA 24-25 Franklin Park IL Check the ISI Web site Yerba Buena Ice Skating Center Franklin Park Ice Arena Golden Gate Skate Spring Fever Competition regularly! skateisi.org

36 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 OCTOBER APRIL 1-2 Cottage Grove MN City of Cottage Grove Ice Arena LT CHAMPION 10-11 Stevens Point WI ADU SHI Carnivals on Ice ISI PS KB Willett Ice Arena 2010 Celebr8 & Sk8 7 Geneva IL The Skate School @ Fox Valley ISI ARTISTIC16-17 CHALLENGE Carol Stream IL Spring Ice Show LAS VEGAS CHICAGOCarol Stream Ice Rink 2Up0 Up10 and Away 7-9 Northbrook IL 8-10 Las Vegas NV Northbrook Sports Center 16-17 University Park PA Las Vegas Ice Center Northbrook-On-Ice 2010 Penn State Ice Rink ISI Adult Championships The Ice is a Stage 8 Wasilla AK Brett Memorial Ice Arena 23-24 Hingham MA 17-18 Brentwood MO Spring Ice Show Winterland Skating School Brentwood Ice Arena 24th Annual Halloween Classic Skates on Broadway 13-16 Skokie IL Skatium 23-24 Downers Grove IL One Hit Wonders DECEMBER Downers Grove Ice Arena Up Up and Away 14 Dimondale MI The Skate School @ The Summit 23-25 Park Ridge IL Spring Ice Show Oakton Ice Arena Round-Up at the Oakton Corral 14-16 Wilmette IL Centennial Ice Rinks 23-25 Chicago IL The Olympic Dream … on Ice McFetridge Sports Center Extra, Extra Skate All About It 14-16 Franklin Park IL 10-12 Northbrook IL Franklin Park Ice Arena Northbrook Sports Center 23-25 Roseville MN 2010 Spring Ice Show ISI Artistic Challenge ‘Roseville Skating Center 41st Annual Roseville Ice Show Everything’s 14-16 Niles IL SHOWS & EXHIBITIONS Coming Up Roseville Niles Park District Iceland Our 40th Year 24-25 Stillwater MN St. Croix Valley Rec Center 16 Nashville TN MARCH 10th Annual Ice Show Centennial Sportsplex 5-6 Pekin IL Annual Spring Ice Show 25 Flushing NY Pekin Memorial Arena World Ice Arena 18-19 Skokie IL Rated G Spring Ice Recital Skatium 5-7 New Ulm MN Superstars on Ice 29-May 1 Minnetonka MN New Ulm Figure Skating Club Minnetonka Ice Arena 21-23 Glenview IL Dancing with the Stars on Ice 36th Annual Silver Skates Ice Revue Glenview Ice Center 37th Annual Ice Show 7 Salem MA 30-May 2 Wayne MI Viking Skating Club Wayne Community Center 21-23 Evanston IL You Should Be Dancing As Seen on TV Robert Crown Ice Center 90 Days of Summer 13 Gurnee IL 30-May 2 White Bear Lake MN Rink Side Family Entertainment Center White Bear Lake Sports Center 28-29 Orland Park IL Dance, Dance, Dance Go for the Gold Arctic Ice Arena Magical Mystery Ice Tour 13-14 St. Louis MO Wayne C. Kennedy Recreation Complex MAY Annual Ice Recital 1 Marlboro MA DECEMBER FMC Navin Arena 7-11 Knoxville TN 19-20 Luverne MN Skating to the Movies Ice Chalet Blue Mound Figure Skaters 23rd Annual Nutcracker on Ice Bedazzled on Ice 1 Simi Valley CA Iceoplex Simi Valley 20 Laconia NH Spring Fling Central New Hampshire Skating Academy Spring Show

ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 37 And Another Thing... Skating’s Peter Martell ISI Executive Director ‘Circle of Life’

t’s no secret to anyone involved in the ice skating industry facing us and accept the fact that, if we are to succeed, much that interest and participation in figure skating have declined less flourish, in the future, we are going to have to work together over the past few years due to a variety of circumstances — collaborate vs. compete — in order to attract and retain our Ibeyond the control of most arena owners/operators and skating fair share of the recreational and competitive sports business. professionals. This means that rink owners and operators, skating profession- The lack of a readily identifiable “star” and implementation als and the organizations that represent them must understand of an indistinguishable scoring system, among other things, that we share a symbiotic relationship and that as one succeeds have resulted in a decline in television ratings and coverage. — or fails — so will the others. The increase in popularity of team sports for girls and nontra- This is especially true of the relationships between rink ditional (extreme) sports for youngsters of both sexes has cut owners/operators and skating professionals working within into the pool of potential skaters. Last, but not least, the crip- their facilities. Too often, I hear stories about coaches and pling economy has made expensive activities such as skating managers being at odds with one another over ice time, and hockey unaffordable for many families across America. commissions, group lesson responsibilities or one thing or Consequently, it is more important than ever that all “stake- another. In almost every holders” in ice sports and businesses recognize the challenges instance, it is a case of one party not recogniz- Managers, coaches ing or appreciating the needs, value and im- and organizations Pro-Rated Annual Fees portance of the other party. Too many coaches share a symbiotic Now in Effect feel that the ice arena “needs” them (and their relationship. As one The Ice Skating Institute remains the only national students) and, therefore, ice sports organization that offers pro-rated they are “entitled to” x, y succeeds – or fails – membership fees after the mid-point of the annual or z. On the other hand, so will the others. membership period. Effective March 1, pro-rated fees too many arena owners/ operators feel like the for the remainder of the membership year (through coaches “need” their facility and, therefore, should be “obligat- Aug. 31) are as follows: ed” to do x, y or z. In both cases, one party often feels that the other party “owes” • Individual Membership – $11 through Aug. them something. The fact of the matter is that both parties 31, 2010 (Membership Rewards price: $10) need each other and, without the existence, understanding and support of the other party, both of their businesses will suffer. OR individuals may extend membership through If ice sports are to experience increased participation, Aug. 31, 2011 with one convenient payment of we need to produce highly visible, successful champions to only $25 (Regular annual fee: $15) generate new interest in the sport. If we are to produce cham- pions, we need highly qualified, successful coaches to train the • Professional Membership – $45 (Regular athletes. If we are to enjoy either of the above, we need highly annual fee: $75) successful facilities to accommodate them. If we are to have • Professional Liability Insurance – $60 highly successful facilities, we need increased participation. This is ice skating’s version of the “circle of life.” (Regular annual fee: $75) All parties must accept the fact that they have a vested • Hockey Membership – Adults, $20, and interest in the success of the others, and that it is in everyone’s Youth, $15 (Regular annual fees: $25 and $18, best interest to cooperate and collaborate to promote each other’s success, not just their own. respectively) You “owe” it to everyone — including yourself!

38 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 Jumpstart Your 2010 ISI Conference Experience Skating’s with the ‘Circle of Life’ Backstage Tour

Donn Arden’s Jubilee! is Vegas’ classic and most famous stage spectacular, the last remaining authentic showgirl revue in the city. The backstage tour allows you to see what it takes to put the award-winning seven-act show on stage each night. The tour begins in the Jubilee! Theater, where you’ll ascend the massive stage to learn about the technology that makes a production of this scale possible – the sound system, giant elevators and fly rail. The next stop takes you beneath the stage to the carpenter shop, electrical shop and prop shop, home to giant set pieces like the Titanic. On to one of the most complete costume shops in the world, where you’ll see the wig room, elaborate feather headdresses and costumes designed by Bob Mackie and Pete Menefee. Then it’s off to the dressing rooms, where real drama un- folds every night as 100 actors frantically run from their last costume change to their next stage cue. The best is saved for last, when you’ll watch as a cast member in street clothes is transformed into a glamorous show- girl in the makeup demo. This is a one-of-a-kind, only-in-Vegas experience that you won’t want to miss – all guided by a Jubilee! showgirl, who will be happy to pose for a photo with you.

The Jubilee! Backstage Tour is scheduled for Tuesday morning, June 1, immediately prior to the conference opening. Register for the tour on your registration form, available at skateisi.org. The fee for the entire experience is only $35.

to the Ice Arena Conference & Trade Show LAS VEGAS 2010

ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010 39 40 ISI EDGE MARCH/APRIL 2010