Rink

May/June 2019

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"When I think about hockey, it engages the kids. They're always touching the puck. They're always moving. They have the team camaraderie there," he says. "I just always felt that if somebody were to pay attention to the business side of growing a hockey program or growing a skating program, that it could do well and succeed just because hockey is such a great sport for kids." As a kid, he felt so much joy and learned so many life lessons from hockey. His self-confidence skyrocketed. "It's such a great game," Glowacki adds. "That's the reason I want to spread that game to other people in southwest Michigan." His plans are ambitious. If his calcula- tions are correct, about 80,000 people live within a 25-mile radius of the Garden Ice Arena. If they have access to good programs, he doesn't see any reason there can't be 1,000 kids partici- pating in hockey, doing figure skating or diving into learn-to-skate classes. They're almost halfway to reaching that goal, with about 400 youth in fall and winter learn-to-skate sessions, and with the in-house league and travel teams. On the adult side, the arena also offers leagues for A, B and C players, as well as programs for novices and those over 40 years old. Glowacki also runs a BAD hockey program, short for Beginner Adult Development, for new players. When peo- ple off the street want to try the sport, he rents them equipment or they buy some, and they come on the ice for the first time ever. Once they reach a certain level, they graduate and go on to the C league. The new arena also opened up new opportunities for figure skating. Volunteer Michelle Harris runs the entire program, which is perfect for those looking for a fun, individual alternative to hockey to get them out on the ice. Keeping It Simple With a single sheet and basic features, the Garden Ice Arena can help grow the game without being overly complicated to maintain. Architects designing the arena focused on creating a clean, com- fortable space, rather than a huge facility where they'd need to condition the air. The space boasts a heated lobby with bathrooms, a concession stand, a skate rental area, party rooms and five locker rooms—with one especially designated for women. The number of public skating USICERINKS.COM MAY.JUNE.2019 / 23 "WHEN I THINK ABOUT HOCKEY, IT ENGAGES THE KIDS, SO THEY'RE ALWAYS TOUCHING THE PUCK. THEY'RE ALWAYS MOVING. THEY HAVE THE TEAM CAMARADERIE THERE."

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