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CEnter ice Q&A with a rink professional 50 / JULY.AUGUST.2021 USICERINKS.COM PHOTOS: KURT VON HELMS // How did you get into the rink business? I had played youth hockey and was a rink rat as a child. Wilf Martin, the rink manager at the University of Colorado lived three houses down our street and often invited and encouraged us to spend time at the rink. Prior to working in a rink, I started out in aquatics at the Boulder Reservoir in Boulder, Colorado. After complet- ing my M.A. in Recreation and Parks Administration, I (reluctantly) moved to Illinois and was hired as a part-time supervisor at a local rink. // What's the best part of your job? The variety. Each day is different. In addition to creating budgets, researching future renovation projects, and operating and maintaining the rink and equipment, I enjoy interacting with our staff and guests of the rink. // What do you think has been the hardest part about running your rink the past two years? Attempting to stay afloat financially during Covid restric- tions. We have a great staff that is creative and they were able to offer programming that was fun, stayed within the guidelines, and kept us above water. // Craziest experience in the indus- try to date? At a rink I worked at previ- ously, a hose clamp broke causing a brine leak. The leak was first noticed just before the start of our Thanksgiving week tour- nament. We were able to beg/borrow/buy enough calcium chloride to refill the sys- tem (about 1,000 gallons), and although we were able to host the tournament, air pockets remained in the system, our brine circulation was poor and the system strug- gled to set up the ice for a month. Most of December was spent in our refrigera- tion room manually manipulating the sys- tem to remove the air pockets. Eventually we added liquid carpet extraction cleaner to the system. The extractor removed the final air pockets. Good times… // What do you see as the biggest misconception for new rink manag- ers? The hours you are expected to work. Rink managers do not work a "normal" 9-5, Monday through Friday schedule. So have enthusiasm for what you do, or the long variable hours will drive you crazy. It also helps if your family is understanding about your schedule. // You had the benefit of taking most of your classes in-person—any take- aways from your online class that you liked or didn't like? The online Human Resource Management class was something I looked forward to during the two mornings we meet each week through- out the month. The material and instruc- tion provided was timely and interesting. The most enjoyable aspect of the class was interacting and receiving new ideas from the instructor and everyone else in the class. // Any advice for other rink profes- sionals? All of us are fortunate to be in one of the best professions in the world. How many people are lucky enough to enjoy what they do for a living? Be grate- ful for the opportunity and passionate to be a rink professional. J PROFILE Facility: Facility Manager at Skokie Park District Professional Designation: CIRM Years in the Industry: 30 years WE HAVE A GREAT STAFF THAT IS CREATIVE AND THEY WERE ABLE TO OFFER PROGRAMMING THAT WAS FUN, STAYED WITHIN THE GUIDELINES, AND KEPT US ABOVE WATER. KURT VON HELMS Skokie, Ill.