Rink

How did you get into the industry? Tim: I started working in the amusement park. When the winter came, they asked me to work in the Ice Casino. I've been in the rink now for 26 years. Thom: Started with Nassau County Recreation Department as a lifeguard and wound up at a facility that also had a rink. Nine years later I got a call from Rye County Day School that had a one-year- old rink and needed an experienced driver. I've been at Rye for 33 years this season. Best tip or trick you picked up at a STAR program. Tim: One of the best has to be using yarn to lay out the lines before they are painted. Thom: Wrapping the ice-making hose with nylon rope so it doesn't burn into the ice and using a three-way laser to position face-off dots. What's the funniest story from your career that you can share? Tim: One of the rinks I work at dumps resurfacing snow directly into Long Island Sound. There is a ledge that sits about 10- 15 feet off the water. On two occasions the Zamboni was driven over the ledge and was hanging precariously over the wall about to fall into the water. Thom: A men's team taking a shower in the Zamboni room. Our locker rooms with showers aren't available to renters. After a late night men's league game, one of the teams decided they needed to clean up. Three laps into my ice job I noticed steam coming from the resurfacer room – using the filler hose, they had turned the room into a gang shower. Tell us about the most embarrassing moment in your career. Tim: I did an ESPN promo at Playland where they had me driving the Zamboni, dumping it outside. They then showed me in an apron and funny hat, selling NHL sno-cones to people walking by, saying things like "Get your official NHL sno-cones,""Don't worry that's only a tooth" and "Special cherry flavor." I took all kinds of kidding while that spot ran during the playoffs. Thom: Seesawing a station wagon full of NEISMA members in the middle of Boston. A group of rink guys at a NEISMA (North East Ice Skating Managers Association) decided to "tour" Boston. Nine of us piled into someone's station wagon and headed out. Midway through the "tour," the driver managed to hang up the car on a speed bump. Holding up traffic, we had to empty the car to free the vehicle. How has NARCE helped you and your facility? Tim: By enabling me to continue to learn about the changes and new tools in our industry. Also making contacts with other operators and vendors. Thom: As a means of sharing successes, frustrations and failures with people who understand. We've been able to utilize things we've learned at the courses to improve safety and efficiency at Rye County Day rink. Importance of STAR and/or NARCE for your business and/or career. Tim: Helping me realize that we all share the same concerns and problems, no matter where we work. That networking with other rinks and people is imperative to our business. Thom: With accumulated experience and education, we become more valuable to our facilities. ★ ■ Training, and recognition of training, is the best way to let colleagues and potential employers know who you are and what you have accomplished. Almost every industry has a measuring stick to help employers gauge the level of competency of a future employee. industry spotlight 62 R INK MAGAZ INE May/June 2008 Thom & Tim Thom O'Grady & Tim Codispoti Playland Ice Casino & Rye County Day School • Rye, New York Years in Industry: 26 (Tim C.), 42 (Thom O.) STAR Operator level: CIT (both) STAR / ORFA Courses Taken: • IMPT – Chicago 2003 (both) • BR – Chicago 2004 (both) • AR – Chicago 2005 (both) • IMEO – Chicago 2006 (both) • ORM – Chicago 2007 (both) X COURTESY OF PLAYLAND ICE CASINO

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