Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/873020
his year, I have received more calls and emails than in recent memory from folks pursuing the dream of building an ice rink in their community. One of the most common questions that comes up in these conversations is: "What is the current state of the ice rink industry?" My answer to that question is always: "Growing." Since 2012, there have been 47 new permanent indoor ice rinks built (77 ice sheets). In that same time span, only 19 rinks have closed (22 ice sheets). That's an increase of 55 ice sheets across the country. We all know that building a rink is not cheap, and profit margins are not huge, so why are so many new rinks being built now? The answer: Demand. Participation in youth ice sports in the United States over the past five years has increased, and participation in more traditional sports such as baseball, basketball, football and soccer have all decreased over that same period. The reason for the substantial growth in ice sports can be attributed to many factors, including the daily efforts of dedicated ice rink operators like yourself, but not to be overlooked is the significant focus and investment in grassroots growth and development initiatives that both USA Hockey and U.S. Figure Skating have made during this time frame. As great as these numbers are, they will probably only grow more over the next few years, due to the 2018 Winter Olympics coming up in less than six months. This is outstanding news for our industry, but it didn't just happen without effort. We have to keep putting in the work that got us to this point in the first place. I encourage you to find new ways to partner with your existing hockey and figure skating user groups, and enhance your own programs to keep this growth going. It will benefit all of us. Wishing you great success, — Jeff Theiler, Chief Operating Officer, United States Ice Rink Association Opening ADDRESS Welcome from Jeff Theiler 12 /SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2017 USICERINKS.COM Growing Up THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES ICE RINK ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 // VOL. 20, NO. 5 USICERINKS.COM // INFO@USICERINKS.COM C E O Steve Farbman P R E S I D E N T James McEwen S E N I O R V I C E P R E S I D E N T David Jensen C O N T R O L L E R Mike Schwarz C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R Rob Johnson A RT D I R E C T O R Mike DeArmond D E S I G N E R S Brandon Favre, Annie Gernes, Kelsey Cherwinka A D S A L E S Bryan Nelson M A R K E T I N G & AC C O U N T M A NAG E R Jessica Disch E D I T O R S : Aaron Paitich, Jessi Pierce M A R K E T I N G C O O R D I NAT O R Elizabeth Boger 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 505 North Highway 169, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55441 P H : (763) 595-0808 FA X : (763) 595-0016 E - M A I L : info@touchpointmedia.com W E B S I T E : touchpointmedia.com Mission: "To advance the ice rink industry through membership, world-class education, training, resources and events." C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E R Jeff Theiler D I R E C T O R , E D U CAT I O N John Monteleone C O O R D I NAT O R , M E M B E R S H I P & M A R K E T I N G Matthew Wagoner O F F I C E A S S I S T A N T Tom Wacker P H : ( 719) 538-1149 FA X : (719) 538-7838 E - M A I L : info@usicerinks.com W E B S I T E : usicerinks.com A P R O G R A M O F E D I T O R Aaron Paitich M A NAG I N G E D I T O R Jessi Pierce C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S Jim Arnold, Casey, Murdough, Ben Ruggles, Jeff Theiler, Matthew Wagoner, Ryan Williamson, Emily Zak E D I T O R I A L B OA R D Mike Bauer, T.C. Lewis, Craig Petersen, Ben Ruggles, Dave Wescott D E S I G N E R S Mike DeArmond, Brandon Favre, Annie Gernes, Kelsey Cherwinka T Membership Statistics: USA Hockey 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 5 Year Growth Total Players 510,279 519,417 533,172 542,583 555,175 8.80% 8U Players 102,956 103,961 105,925 107,703 115,694 12.37% U.S. Figure Skating 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 5 Year Growth Total Skaters 164,454 170,868 177,915 181,331 183,869 11.81% Learn to Skate 107,113 113,359 120,518 122,503 126,071 17.70%