Rink

The History of the Zamboni A 128-page book detailing the history of the Zamboni was recently published by Voyageur Press. Until 1949, resurfacing an ice rink involved a tractor-pulled shaver and three or four workers to scoop away the shavings and then spray and squeegee water. This process took more than an hour. Obviously things are different today with the resurfacing technology available. The Zamboni book chronicles the evolution of the machine, with chapters entitled The Birth of Zamboni, The Nature of the Beast and Zamboni Zealots. There is also an introduction and timeline. Many stories from the creator of the machine, Frank Zamboni, are woven throughout the book, including stories of some harrowing deliveries of machines that would challenge the driving sills of any operator, let alone Mr. Zamboni. The Zamboni book is available at bookstores everywhere. New Conti-Edger Distributor C onti-Edger, the revolutionary edging system from Germany, has announced a distribution relationship for the North American market with Petalridge Facility Solutions (PFS). "The Conti-Edger is certainly the future of edging in our industry," says Paul Kempffer, C.I.T. and Head of Petalridge. "We are looking for professionally managed facilities to be suited for being an 'Official Conti-Edger Demonstration Facility' and competent partners for installation and service purposes," says Michael Hoffmann, Junior President and Production Supervisor of Toronto GmbH, the inventor and manufacturer of the Conti-Edger. For more information call 416-676- 0371 or visit www.conti-edger.com. U.S. Figure Skating and MLB Advanced Media Reach Multi- Year Licensing Agreement U.S. Figure Skating, the national governing body for the sport of figure skating in the United States, and MLB Advanced Media, LP, (MLBAM) the interactive media and Internet company of Major League Baseball, announced a multi-year venture to develop and utilize the interactive media properties of U.S. Figure Skating. Ice Network, LLC, a newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S. Figure Skating, has the exclusive rights to U.S. Figure Skating's interactive media properties. Under the terms of this arrangement, MLBAM will be responsible for developing, managing, operating and maintaining the exclusive official website and interactive media properties of what will be known and operated as Ice Network. It will be located at www.IceNetwork.com. In successive phases of the arrangement, MLBAM will oversee responsibility for online ticketing and merchandising, as well as content services and the sale of advertising and sponsorships, in conjunction with U.S. Figure Skating, for Ice Network. In Ice Network's initial roll-out this October, U.S. Figure Skating announced plans to webcast all 2006-2007 U.S. qualifying events from the juvenile level through the adult level, with the exception of the 2007 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships. 8 R INK MAGAZ INE j a n u a r y / f e b r u a r y 2 0 0 7 Industry news ■ News & notes from around the rink industry. Zamboni: The Coolest Machines On Ice The Conti-Edger

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