Rink

September / October 2016

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CEnter ice Q&A with a rink professional 54 / SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2016 RINKMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOS: COURTESY OF DENNIS ALLEN // How did you get involved in the industry? I basically have been a part of the area and this facility my whole life. My dad ran this building for a long time, and grow- ing up here in Lake Placid, events were always a big part of our history here. As a kid I just remember working and being a part of all these different events, whether they be indoors or outdoors. It was pretty much a way of life for families in this town to volunteer and get involved, and my dad was a big part of this building and he certainly kept us all involved in stuff that was going on. // Even away from the iconic facility, you're incredibly involved in volun- teering on so many levels. Which of those activities is your favorite? One of the biggest things I do outside of the facility is coaching 6U hockey. It's one of my favorite side gigs. I enjoy interacting with the kids at that age. They're like little sponges, they soak up everything at that age, they take everything you say as real business and they really pay attention (believe it or not). And the parents haven't gotten too wound up at that age yet, so they are a little more relaxed and normal. Overall, I just really enjoy being around the young kids—it keeps you young and it keeps you active. Most of all, it's fun. It gives me a break from my day-to-day routine here at the arena. // So you get to work at one of the most historic buildings in the ice industry, plus you've been involved in organizing and operating at a number of Olympic Games—how cool is that? (Laughs) Pretty cool. Some of the high points for me were the Olympics in 1980 as the new manager at the Speed Skating Oval here in Lake Placid, and more recently the Salt Lake Games [in 2002] and the Torino Games [in 2006]. It was basically a once in a lifetime opportunity that I got to do more than once. I was very proud of that, and to be able to do your work on a big stage like that with the whole world watching was quite a task. Fortunately for me, everything went well. Working with the different people and going into different buildings and making sure everything was working properly—I really enjoyed that. // Talk about being the General Manager in Lake Placid. We're the keeper of a landmark here; one of the greatest sporting events of our time took place here. It's quite the honor. It's a challenge, too. It challenges you emotionally, physically and mentally all the time. No two days are the same. You're constantly dealing with different people who have different expectations. But we have a wonderful staff who are very talented and dedicated here. It's them who have made this place what it is today, and have so since 1980. It's still a high profile facility and can still handle high profile events. People still come through the door and want to see where the big U.S. vic- tory was. [Working here] we sometimes take that for granted, until you meet a person who has driven halfway across the country to take a picture on the ice. // If you could have one super power, what would it be? To look into the future and see where the future of different sports that we deal with here are going; what's the path they're going to take? // If one actor were to play you in a movie, who would it be? (Laughs) Oh, I don't know. Tom Selleck maybe, because I think we have the same demeanor and try to stay calm and poised at all times. I like that about him as an actor. // In five words or less describe what you do in the ice industry. Make people's goals attainable. J Dennis Allen PROFILE Name: Dennis Allen Title: General Manager Facility: Olympic Center Years in the Industry: 35 Lake Placid, N.Y.

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