Rink Attendant Job Description doc format
Ice Making
Be sure to ask your CRC in the fall about ice making workshops that the City of Edmonton hosts.
What Makes for a Successful Rink?
Courtesy of Shirley Barton, Belvedere Community League Rink Manager updated January 2011
Basics:
- Rink attendant with a positive attitude and approachable.
- Hours of operation posted clearly
- Telephone answering machine reflecting hours of operation and closures due to weather
- Assurance that it’s a safe place for families to drop off their children
- Communication with local school regarding ice times
- Lights on nightly on the rinks, even if there are no skaters. If people see the lights on, the know the rink is open
- Music playing over speakers
- Rink Shack concession
Additional:
1. City programming – Learn to Skate programs
2. Equipment loaning on site for those who have never skated or don’t have equipment
3. Relationship with Sports Central to acquire equipment for low income families
4. Yearly photos of skaters posted on bulletin boards
5. Community run rink events
a. Hot Dog Sundays
b. Winter Carnivals with ice events
i. Milk jug curling
ii. Skating games
iii. Hockey skills competition
c. 3-on-3 tournament
6. Skate sharpening on site.
Outdoor Rink Committee Program Workshop
Saturday, January 29, 2011
9:00 AM, Crestwood Community League
14325 – 96 Avenue
Attendance:
A total of 25 people attended, including 19 community league representatives, two people from the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association, three EFCL staff and one EFCL board member.
Presentations:
A) EFCL Vice-President David Dodge and EMHA President Chris Hurley welcomed everyone and mentioned how the two organizations wanted to combine their resources to bolster the use of outdoor rinks. It was recognized that each organization has similar goals in this regard – to engage young people and ensure they get some healthy exercise, through skating and playing hockey on rinks. They both noted that many children do not play organized hockey but could be encouraged to use the outdoor rinks. They each expressed their thanks for all of the league volunteers that are running rink programs and helping to provide opportunities for young people and local residents in general.
B) Bill Whitefield, General Manager of Sport Central, outlined what his program has to offer and how to access their services. Basically, it is their goal to get gently used sporting equipment into the hands of children without. There is a great need for helmets. He has worked with a couple of our leagues in the past to provide equipment, and is happy to do so, but his primary goal is individual children. He may be able to help set up a few leagues each year with equipment that they can allow to be used by children.
C) David Proden, from E4C, described how his organization received a $5,000 grant from Hockey Alberta to help kids in the McCauley area learn to play hockey. He plans to use the funds to purchase some equipment and arrange for instructors. He is also getting a good deal of help through the U/As Community Service Learning Program, which will help him recruit children and get them involved, as well as teaching them skating and hockey skills. He plans to have the program in place next winter.
D) Shirley Barton from Belvedere Community League spoke to the group about the things she has done at Belvedere that have led to the success of their rink program. See top of page for her notes.
Key Messages From Attendees
1) League reps liked the idea of a rink and carnival day for community leagues, fashioned after the Community League Day promotion last fall. It was suggested that the federation shoot for the weekend prior to Family Day, as Family Day already has a variety of other promotions vying for attention and some people like to leave town altogether as it is a long weekend. Given the unpredictability of the weather, it was felt that the promotion should include both an indoor and outdoor component.
2) Leagues would dearly love to have some help removing snow from their rinks and would encourage the EFCL to work with contractors to see if some arrangements can be made.
3) A number of leagues were also interested in renting out their rinks to hockey teams. They were encouraged to contact the EMHA or individual hockey zones (i.e. Hawks or Confederation) to be put into contact with teams. Crestwood, which has a couple of teams lined up, charges $50/hour or $400/season.
4) Many leagues were interested in the used equipment idea. Would like help lining some up.
General Comments:
a) Rink/Carnival Ideas
- Glenora put together a hockey game, neighbours against the City Police. Extremely well received. Felt the key to getting kids on the ice is if they see their parents playing. This year they have men’s hockey night. Beers after the games. Very successful. May have to go to two nights of men’s hockey next year.
- Willowby had an Oiler’s night. Everyone who wore an oilers jersey got to skate free. Businesses donated Oilers tickets: 8 box seats, two executive suites. Held over the whole weekend, inside and out. Sold refreshments, 50/50 draws, puck toss. Put out suggestion box so that people could put in their ideas for what they would like to see. Inside they had an NHL X-Box tournament.
- Gold Bar had a 50th Anniversary winter party. They are working on raising money for their building, but felt rinks were the heart of a community, unfortunately, they are very old. Would like to partner with neighbouring communities for 3 on 3 tournaments.
b) Cost cutting suggestions:
- Could we group buy snow clearing equipment, or share between leagues?
- Leagues can reduce the cost of water if they put in a separate meter for the rink line, thereby avoiding sewage treatment and land drainage fees.
c) Using Used Equipment
- Dovercourt found that kids like to pick out “their” skates for the year and they are left at the hall. Important for a sense of ownership. They need more helmets. They are also trying to partner with the school, which has equipment.
d) Encouraging more kids to get involved
- One league reuses old skate tags and lets the kids skate on their ice for the season for a minor fee. Another is willing to allow the kids to skate for free in exchange for working on the ice. Another gets the kids to scrape the ice when they are done. Insurance concerns were raised. Check with your insurance company about their rules for use. One of the leagues pointed out that Foster Park Baskett will allow kids who are not members to skate as long as a community league rep is in control of the ice.
e) Rink Supervision
- Supervisors should be encouraged to get home phone numbers from children using the ice, in case of problems or emergencies.
- One league paid its worker $15 hour, another $2,000/month, another $3,500/ month. Duties include ice preparation as well as rink supervision.
f) Learn To Skate Lessons
- Can be arranged through the league’s CRC.
- Three-to-Five Year age group seemed to be most popular.
g) Travelling Zamboni (as proposed by Canadian Arena Products)
- Problems associated with getting access to the rink and access to hot water. Leagues were skeptical about how well it would work.
Suggested Rink Activities
a) 3 on 3 competitions against other leagues.
b) World Junior’s are coming next year. Many leagues would love to have their ice used for practices or games.
c) Shinny Tournaments against other leagues.
d) Help from the EFCL to get Oilers/Oil Kings to come to games. Their charitable foundation is willing, but only if we had a charitable number
(Note: The EFCL is currently working on this.)
Ways to Improve Rink Usage
a) Event Support with the media
b) More networking meetings among rink people.
c) A coordinator to organize teams and set up activities.
d) More people who want to be involved and money to pay them.
e) Need someone at the rink every day. Maybe students?
f) A kid’s hockey program for low income “teams” and equipment. Maybe a 70.00 or 80.00 cost.
g) Instruction program on how to operate the rinks, similar to the one on ice making.
h) More learn to skate programs.
Next EFCL/EMHA Committee Meeting Date:
Noon, Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at the EMHA Office (10618-124 Street).