Rink

How did NARCE help you and your facility? We now paint our city logo at center ice and learned from professionals who make ice for colleges, U.S. Figure Skating Nationals, the NHL and the Olympic Winter Games. Our facility benefited as a result of having had the opportunity to learn first- hand and hands-on from the very best in the industry. Why do you feel industry education is important? Continuing education is a necessity for both the manager of the facility and for our employees to be successful. Armed with the most current and up-to-date information and technology, we are able to make good decisions based on tested and proven methods. Best "trick" you picked up at NARCE: Keep reminding your employees to NEVER change an ice resurfacer blade alone without another employee remaining close at hand. It is a matter of life and death! Importance of STAR and/or NARCE for your business: Attending STAR programs has helped us position our facility competitively in the marketplace now and for many years to come. The programming has helped to maximize profits, allowing us to continue to operate on user fee revenues. As new information becomes available regarding the many facets of arena facility management, it is published on a regular basis and quickly shared among conference participants. Why you will be at NARCE 2007: I will attend NARCE 2007 to learn from some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the industry, who offer so much practical information. Besides the education and the networking, I am personally pleased for the City of St. Clair Shores Civic Arena and myself to achieve the 5 STAR Operator designation with the completion of this class. Final Thoughts: No two days in the ice arena business are ever the same. You need to be ready at all times to act and react quickly. As arena managers, we cannot be in the facilities 24/7; therefore, we must train competent, confident, empowered employees, prepared to problem-solve at the drop of a puck. In the near future, I foresee all ice arena administrators nationwide being 5 STAR Operators PLUS, as a condition of employment for the protection of the patrons who use our facilities daily. ★ ■ Training, and recognition of training, is the best way to let colleagues and potential employers know who you are and what you have accomplished. Almost every industry has a measuring stick to help employers gauge the level of competency of a future employee. industry spotlight 54 R INK MAGAZ INE March/April 2007 COURTESY OF HOCKEY WEEKLY Gina Rheaume St. Clair Shores Civic Arena • St. Clair Shores, Michigan Years in Industry: 8 STAR Operator level: 4 STAR STAR / ORFA Courses Taken: • BR – Canton, MI – 2003 • IMPT – Melvindale, MI – 2004 • IMEO – Kalamazoo, MI – 2005 • PMP – Chicago, IL – 2006 • ORM – Chicago, IL – 2007 (registered) X Gina Rheaume shares her thoughts on NARCE, STAR As arena managers, we cannot be in the facilities 24/7; therefore we must train competent, confident, empowered employees, prepared to problem- solve at the drop of a puck.

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