Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1289816
PHOTOS: U.S. FIGURE SKATING, RINK ARCHIVES REAL PROGRAMS Learn to Skate in the new normal 36 / SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2020 USICERINKS.COM • Require participants come dressed and prepared to enter the ice after putting on skates "Freestyle customers are allowed to move freely on the ice, but each skater has a designated place for their guards and water bottle," said Lori Cervinka, director at both facilities. "We also implemented a contact tracing app, so every customer entering the building had an appointment. Touchless temperatures are taken upon check-in, and a thorough disinfection is done in between each session." Their Learn to Skate USA program started at half the volume on the ice with appointment-only drop-in classes being offered up to seven days a week to accom - modate each family's situation. "We all want to go full steam ahead with programming, but none of us want to have to close our doors ever again. If we all work together to follow the rules, we will be back stronger than ever." TOOLS OF THE TRADE • Strive to have a single employee handle and sanitize all rental equipment between usage ˚ Skaters who require a helmet should bring their own ˚ Personal items, such as shoes, should no longer be held as collateral for rental equipment • Dispose of all plush and stuffed animal- type toys; replace with hard plastic toys and sanitize between uses. Consider using more on-ice drawings and toys/ games that do not require direct contact by the skaters (e.g., bubbles) PRE-PLANNING • Time block and map out hypothetical situations to ensure you've adequately planned for procedures related to arrival, pre-lesson preparations, on-ice lessons, post-lesson wrap-up and departure ˚ Avoid overlaps in groups ˚ Allow time to sanitize lobby areas, bathrooms, tops of dasher boards and rental equipment between sessions • Utilize online pay- ment/registration systems. Take pay- ments over the phone if necessary • Expand the registration process to include rental skate information • If skaters need rental skates, have them set aside and ready upon arrival PREPARE FOR ARRIVAL • Stagger arrival times or use separate entrances for arrival and exit; use pop- up secondary lobby areas, if possible, to avoid congestion ˚ If limiting entrances, make sure you are following local fire department regulations ˚ If using separate entrances and pop- up lobby areas, be sure to create clear signage directing skaters to these areas ˚ If staggering classes, post the stag- gered class schedule in multiple areas and strictly adhere to it • If seating is generally very close togeth- er, use tape to mark readiness zones for skaters before class • Have instructors assist with the arrival procedures DURING CLASS • Have skaters enter the ice at staggered times or separate entrances • Have instructors adjust lesson plans to keep skaters six feet away from each other ˚ Utilize markers and new activities to maintain spacing • Provide six-foot markers or indicators in spectator areas to ensure parents/ spectators stay six feet apart while observing the class • Have skaters exit the ice at staggered times or use separate entrances "With so many new regulations to adjust to, we wanted to give athletes the sense that skating is still a source of FUN and safe connection," said skating director Carey Tinkelenberg. "The hats have been a hit this summer and have been showing up in other youth programs around town!" AFTER CLASS • Establish the amount of time ("15 min- utes") skaters have to pack up and exit the facility ˚ Communicate verbally and with signage ˚ Consistently enforce a time limit ˚ Facilities should not allow groups of skaters or family members to linger in the lobby PLAN AHEAD • Develop flexible refund policies should stay-at-home orders be restored or if your rink must close • With many schools transitioning to remote learning, there are many oppor- tunities for more daytime programming • Create an emergency plan for a possible outbreak with rink management ˚ Have a communication strategy to alert all who may have been exposed ˚ Designate one person to speak publicly for the club/programs (to members, media, health officials, etc.) J WITH SO MANY NEW REGULATIONS TO ADJUST TO, WE WANTED TO GIVE ATHLETES THE SENSE THAT SKATING IS STILL A SOURCE OF FUN AND SAFE CONNECTION. , Staggered seating and instruction on social distancing will be crucial to keep everyone safe in the return to rinks.