Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/958383
54 / MARCH.APRIL.2018 USICERINKS.COM CEnter ice Q&A with a rink professional // How did you break into the ice rink industry? I've been working continuously at out- door rinks since 1979 when I took a job as a rink guard. I started out as a 16-year- old rink guard in my hometown of Washington, DC at the very busy public National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink. Like a lot of people in this industry, I was interested in the process of making good ice and being inventive with ways I could improve the ice conditions. By the following season, I was running the resurfacer and within three years, at age 18, I was the rink manager. I often wonder if no one else wanted the job due to the long hours and customer issues. // Describe the most memorable moment you've encountered while in the industry Doing this for almost 40 years, the most memorable moments come from the peo- ple who take the ice and experienced the fun, thrill, and sport of skating on good ice. We have had the Washington Capitals out twice to use our rink as a practice facility for their two Winter Classic games. I like to think it is that preparation that led them to win both games. We take a lot of pride at our rink and we believe our total facility experience sets us apart from the other local rinks in both the ice quality and the customer experience. Every year we have improved the experience for our hockey teams and figure skaters. I take a lot of pride in the improvements over my 13 years here. Our program numbers have more than doubled over that time. We currently have a very large instructional and cross-ice mites program, along with six in-house teams and 14 travel teams. I am very cer- tain that our rink is one of the best out- door ice rinks in the country. // In your experience, what is the most important element for the overall success of any ice rink? Staying on top of the small things is critical so they do not become big things. Some issues are unforeseen, but I've found that checking things twice and taking care of matters as they are identified can prevent almost everything. When I go into any rink in the country I look at four things to help tell me if the rink is being run properly. Those are: (1) the cleanliness of the public restrooms, (2) the upkeep of the locker rooms, (3) the condition of the towel on the ice resurfaces, and (4) proper and frequent edging along the boards. If any one of those is not being done correct- ly, there are probably bigger issues as well. // Are you a dog or cat person? I am probably more of a cat person, but what I have right now is a dog who loves cold weather and eating snow. // What misconceptions do you feel outsiders have toward the ice rink/arena industry? They don't understand the expertise and science behind what goes into making good quality ice, and the importance of good ice for a good skating experience by the customer. We in the industry take our jobs very seriously, and are just as knowl- edgeable and important to the success of our programs as other sports facility professionals are to their sports—maybe more so due to the safety factor. If only a few square inches of the ice are un- skatable, the safety of the patrons is compromised. // What is the hardest thing about working in an ice rink? Because we are an open-air outdoor ice rink, the hardest part is staying on top of the ice conditions. We are constantly monitoring our mechanical systems to ensure we maintain the ice at the best condition possible. Not doing those things each day could lead to the cancel- lation of programing. // If you could speak to your younger self, what advice would you give? I would say, "Do your best!" If you always try to do your best, good things will happen. J PHOTOS: COURTESY OF VICTOR LEWTON Victor Lewton PROFILE Name: Victor Lewton Facility: Chevy Chase Club U.S. Ice Rinks Professional Designations Achieved: CIRM Years in the Ice Rink Industry: 39 Chevy Chase, Maryland