Rink

September / October 2014

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48 / SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2014 RINKMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MIKE DIERSEN CEnter ice Q&A with a rink professional // I didn't pay close enough attention in college or adhere to any advice from counselors. How did you begin working at an ice rink? If I had listened to my counselors, I prob- ably have a 9-to-5 at some really boring desk job. I came to Park City to help a friend for a couple of weeks on a construc- tion job. As I was passing through town I noticed a huge concrete building was being built. I asked around and was told it was going to be an ice arena. Once I knew that, I was stuck. Not only was the snow unreal, but also the town was going to have an ice arena … SOLD! I started off sharpening rental skates and worked my way up to my current position of building maintenance coordinator. // How does your typical day at the rink look? On the daily I check for any repairs, "fix everything" and then I chill and watch water freeze. // Yes, a degree in "fix everything" is necessary in this industry. So how would you fix this: What would the player benches look like if our knees were on the backs of our legs? Nothing to fix. They stay the same. You would just look funny sitting that way. Plus, your skating would be awful! // To say something is selling really fast, we say "selling like hot cakes." What phrase would you use to describe how your ice sells from 10 a.m. to noon on a Monday? On a Monday, the hours from 10 a.m. to noon are "Scooped up faster than ice melts." // Our readers may be wondering how fast ice does melt. Well, wrap your brains around this equation: Heat = mL m = mass of ice L = latent heat of fusion Q = Heat/t (t = time taken) t = Heat/Q Block of ice at atmospheric condition m = 1,000 kg L = 333.7 kJ/kg (at 1 atm) Q = Q (in kW) Therefore, the time taken: t = (1000kg) x (333.7kJ/kg) / (Q kW) = 333,700/Q seconds // Most rewarding part of working in an ice rink? Most rewarding part is making a perfect sheet of ice. There's nothing better than a cut with a fresh sharp blade. Everyone loves a good clean sheet of ice. // The one thing about working in a rink that drives you insane? What drives me insane is when folks come and ask for me to "Turn up the heat in the arena — it's cold in there." // Best tip you have picked up along the way from training or a colleague? "Dude, you work at an ice arena — smile a bit! It could be worse." // Any advice for 20-year-old skate guards that aspire to become full- time employees? "Stay in school kid!" No, I say, "Go for it!" And remember that you work in an indus- try that facilitates fun so have fun! J Mike Diersen PROFILE Building Maintenance Coordinator, Park City Ice Arena STAR Professional Designations Achieved: • BR (San Jose, Calif., July 18-21, 2011) • ORM (Dearborn, Mich., May 21-24, 2012) • IMEO (Columbus, Ohio, May 19-22, 2014) *Taking an IMPT course in Las Vegas Sept. 28-31 — last one to get his CIT! Park City, Utah DUDE, YOU WORK AT AN ICE ARENA — SMILE A BIT! IT COULD BE WORSE. , When Mike isn't busy harvesting fun on the ice he is planting future fun on a John Deere.

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