Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1184562
CEnter ice Q&A with a rink professional 54 / NOVEMBER.DECEMBER.2019 USICERINKS.COM PHOTOS: LAURA BELLUCCIA // You attended your first NARCE this year—what was that experience like? NARCE was great. I was there primar- ily to take the PMP course to finish my CRA, but I learned so much more than just programming and marketing. I really enjoyed connecting with people who had been in the industry for more than 20 years, and others who were just getting started. I already can't wait for next year. // How did you get into the rink business? I came to the facility to watch my boy- friend play soccer and then realized there was an ice rink. Not long after, I started working in customer service at the rink part-time while in college. A year or two in, I was rising up in the organization at the facility and was really enjoying it. Here I am today as a general manager. // What's the biggest challenge you face each day? We are currently non-stop, 18-plus hours per day. The ice demand is high, and I think the need is outgrowing our single-sheet facility. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a second sheet in the near future. // What's the best part of your job? There's almost always a problem to solve of some kind. Working at the rink defi- nitely keeps me on my toes and gives me a sense of purpose. // What's the craziest experience you've had in the industry to date? The meltdown of 2017, as I like to call it. That was the time our system lost 5,000 pounds of Freon in the blink of an eye. Our 24-ish year-old system had enough, and down the ice went. Fortunately, we have a great team, and we were back up and running in less than three weeks. // Any advice for other rink professionals out there? Keep learning, and don't be afraid of trying something new. J PROFILE Name: Laura Belluccia Facility: Jacksonville Ice & Sportsplex U.S. Ice Rinks Professional Designation Achieved: CRA Years in the Ice Rink Industry: 18 Laura Belluccia Jacksonville, Fla. "THE MELTDOWN OF 2017, AS I LIKE TO CALL IT. THAT WAS THE TIME OUR SYSTEM LOST 5,000 POUNDS OF FREON IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE. OUR 24-ISH YEAR-OLD SYSTEM HAD ENOUGH, AND DOWN THE ICE WENT."