Rink

24 / SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2017 USICERINKS.COM PHOTOS: RINK ARCHIVES "[Our employees] are fantastic," Carlson says. "They learn and try new things. We educate them and try to show them how to run the facility. They oftentimes become ice rink operators and maintenance guys." Carlson's staff members have varying hours. Some might work 35-40 hours per week, while others might only be work- ing 10 hours per week. He says his ideal number of employees during the season is 24, roughly four people per rink. There are plenty of traits Carlson looks for when it comes to hiring his team. For him, honesty is the best policy along with open lines of communication from boss to employee on what exactly is expected from staff. "You just have to be completely open and honest and let these employees know that they will be watched," Carlson said. "Information about the rink is public and being shared relatively quickly. It's important they follow our poli- cies and procedures." When it comes to having the best staff, communication is key. With so many different technological advances, it is becoming easier and easier to commu- nicate with employees in real-time. At Carlson's rink, his team recently started using an app called "WhenIWork." It's an app where every- one can communicate with each other as long as the rink is willing to pay a small monthly fee. This is used along with texts, emails and an app called Voxer, which acts as a walkie-talkie on your cell phone. Carlson says Voxer has been a great way to cut down costs on walkie-talkies. In addition to successful communica- tion, Carlson preaches the importance of making sure his rink is in tip-top shape at all times. "We're dealing with the No. 1 pri- ority of parents—their kids," he says. "It's important staff understands that and knows that they're only coming to this facility for one or two hours. It's absolutely critical that the ice time is on time and the conditions are what they're expecting." Along with making sure everything is running smoothly and on time, his staff is tasked with making sure the facility is always clean and the locker rooms are ready for the teams when it's time to put on their gear and hit the ice. And though the expectation might be that everything should be perfect all the time, Carlson acknowledges there are always a few bumps in the road throughout the year. He advises that those staff members try not to take any criticism to personally. "I think if I took all the things that happened here personally, I would not be very happy," he says. "Some things are controllable, some things aren't. You shouldn't always react with what you want to say first. Once everyone is in a good frame of mind, you can talk things through, take the criticism constructively and try to make it better." And while it's well-known that work- ing at a rink can be chaotic no matter the position you hold, Carlson can still acknowledge the fun there is to be had while working at the rink. "I tell my employees that this is one of the best jobs they will have in their entire career, whether it's one year driv- ing the ice resurfacer or making an entire career out of it," Carlson says. "Everyone comes to the rink and leaves a little happier because it's just such a great place to be." J "[OUR EMPLOYEES] ARE FANTASTIC. THEY LEARN AND TRY NEW THINGS. WE EDUCATE THEM AND TRY TO SHOW THEM HOW TO RUN THE FACILITY. THEY OFTENTIMES BECOME ICE RINK OPERATORS AND MAINTENANCE GUYS." Succeeding with the right staff Together, a staff can make or break a successful season.

• Cover