Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1546661
Opening ADDRESS Welcome from Jeff Theiler THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES ICE RINK ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026 // VOL. 29, NO. 5 USICERINKS.COM // INFO@USICERINKS.COM P R E S I D E N T David Jensen V I C E P R E S I D E N T Aaron Paitich C O N T R O L L E R Mike Schwarz A R T D I R E C T O R S Mike DeArmond, Brandon Favre G R A P H I C D E S I G N E R Liv Greaves A D S A L E S Bryan Nelson M A R K E T I N G & C O N T E N T C O O R D I N A T O R Emily Sizen M A R K E T I N G C O O R D I N A T O R Brooke Pioske RINK Magazine is the definitive business publication for professionals in the ice rink industry and is the leading source for information on facility management, operations and programming. PUBLISHING PARTNER 5353 Wayzata Blvd, Suite 640 | St Louis Park, MN 55416 E - M A I L : info@nordstarmedia.com W E B S I T E : nordstarmedia.com Mission: "Elevate the ice rink industry by developing skilled professionals and supporting safe, high- performing, and sustainable facilities." C H I E F O P E R A T I N G O F F I C E R Jeff Theiler, CIRM, CIM D I R E C T O R , E D U C A T I O N John Monteleone, CIRM, CPRP P H : ( 719 ) 538-1149 F A X : (719) 538-7838 E - M A I L : info@usicerinks.com W E B S I T E : usicerinks.com A P A R T N E R W I T H E D I T O R Aaron Paitich C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S Steve Mann, John Monteleone, Mike Petrocelli, Robert Rode, Troy Schwindt, Jeff Theiler E D I T O R I A L B O A R D Barbara Bogner, T.C. Lewis, John Monteleone, Craig Petersen, Jeff Theiler Recharging the Batteries M E D I A To avoid burnout, take a real break before the season begins 14 / SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2026 USICERINKS.COM I hope that you had a good summer and took the opportunity to take a vacation to relax and unwind. When I say vacation though, I mean a "real" vacation. You know, a week or two of travel away from your job, or just hanging out at home and enjoying uninterrupted time with your family and friends. Or do you know what I mean? Unfortunately, a lot of people I know still tend to gravitate toward "living to work" rather than "working to live." Recently I talked with a few rink managers who said they took a "vacation" this summer, but in reality, they just didn't go into the rink. They were still checking and responding to work email, or they called and texted their staff daily while they were away to see if every- thing was "OK." One person I spoke to even admitted that they had taken their laptop with them on a family trip to Disneyland. If any of this sounds familiar to you, please take any opportunity you have to truly get away, even if it is for just a couple of days, before we get into the thick of the season. Otherwise, burnout might rear its ugly head at the worst possible time. In every issue of RINK, we feature one of our Facility Members, and in this issue, we're excited to introduce one of our newest members, the Children's Health StarCenter Multisport Northlake. This 225,000 square foot facility isn't just another ice rink; it is a state-of-the-art multi-purpose sports complex. You can read more about this unique facility on page 18. On page 32, we're reminded that proactive maintenance has many benefits over reac- tive maintenance, including minimizing risk and maximizing our patrons' experience. Following the same line of thinking, the Project in Pictures article starting on page 36 takes us through the chiller replacement project that was completed this summer at the Stamford Twin Rinks. On page 43, you'll find an article highlighting the historic announcement on the inclusion of Synchronized Skating as an official Winter Olympic sport for the first time starting in 2030, and the steps U.S. Figure Skating will be taking to prepare their athletes for the inaugural competition. Finally, we end this issue with Center Ice, spotlighting Tom Cline, one of the new directors on the U.S. Ice Rink Association's board. I hope you enjoy this issue of RINK, and I wish you the best as we start another ice sports season! — Jeff Theiler, Chief Operating Officer, United States Ice Rink Association SAVE THE DATE! NARCE is returning to Milwaukee May 11-14, 2027! 2027 2027