Part 1 of the VT/NH area rink reports while we're out here for Christmas. I've never been to any of these places before so it should be interesting to see.

Today: Riley Rink, Manchester, VT. Nice facility--but can you say MEAT LOCKER??? Very, very cold inside; I think the walls are merely sheet metal so it almost might as well be an outdoor rink (it's about 20F out today). However, GREAT to have the Olympic size ice. It nearly made up for the gaggles of teenagers--who were either swooping all over uncontrollably or standing in large groups. The cold made the ice rather hard, which, while it did make it tougher to hold edges, also meant the ice wasn't nearly as chewed up as it is at home.

Today's rink: Union Arena, Woodstock, VT. One sheet of ice. Very crowded, which is to be expected the day after Christmas, not to mention we got a couple inches of snow overnight to cover the previously bare ground. The ice must have been very soft, or the skaters particularly harsh, because about 15minutes after a (really excellent!!! Good Zamboni guy!!!!) resurface, it was all chopped up again. By the end of session there were practically snowballs all over the place. Oh, and forgot to add: Excellent snack bar. I did not sample it but the smell of popcorn was delightful and very tempting!

Well, due to the crowd, no way could I do much in the way of moves practice or dance patterns. Plus an unfortunate number of sweet but skill-free dads hauling their kids around made things a bit treacherous.

LilJen's been visiting various rinks and giving us reports on them. I just went to a rink that I used to skate at and found it was frozen in time - even the same wooden bathroom stalls! Thinking about it, I've been to a number of rinks in the past year and some of them need improvements.

I started this "Rink Reports" thread to collect feedback from actual skaters on different rinks, along with what's good and what could be improved at each rink. Feel free to add your own reports - it would help if you used the Title to identify location and rink so others can find the info with the search feature.

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The Warinanco Skating Center, located in the Union County, NJ's Warinanco Park, is a picturesque seasonal skating rink. It was the home of the Union County Skating Club for years, but the Club is now defunct.

This is an open-air ice surface with a roof and three walls. There are bleachers for spectators to watch skating. The warming house is six-sided, and very quaint. There's a central fireplace pit that warms the room nicely on freezing nights. They have skate rentals and a snack bar, along with indoor bathrooms.

Best features:
The firepit, although it could use a good cleaning.
The six-sided room, which is a cool place to hang out while they cut the ice.

Needs Improvement:
The rubber matting has gaps and is usually very dirty.
The bathrooms need to be replaced and cleaned. (Fixtures are old and nasty-looking, no hot water.)

What would be really nice is to have some sort of a view from the ice surface of the park itself, which is lovely in all seasons.

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Today's rink: Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, NH.

Decent standard-sized rink at a residential school (presumably of the upper-crust, college-prep type). Adequate Zamboni job just before I stepped on the ice and I was the first to start slashing it up. It was QUIET, too, and I so appreciated the lack of bad radio-station music (forgot the mp3 player, naturally; oh well). For the first several minutes of the session, as I tried the bronze power stroking moves, I could hear some nice rips on some edges.

The rink got very crowded very quickly with lil hockey players--population about 2/3 half-pints under 4 feet, 1/3 hockey parents. It was a game of dodge-em, and there was no way I was going to get any waltz 8 practice in with kids slashing through the middle of the rink in every direction.

Bird Arena at Ohio University was built in the '60's, I believe. It had an addition in the '80s to increase the lobby area and to put in a comfortable mezzanine/viewing area.

Bird Arena is a seasonal rink open from around mid-September for freestyle (October for public sessions) through the end of March.

Here's the view from a skater's point of view looking back at the lobby and mezzanine above it...


Sadly, there is no insulation in the ceiling which limits the skating season to the cooler months. Also it gets very cold inside when the weather outdoors is below freezing. However it's a friendly rink for freestyle, and the attitude is less cut-throat than other rinks with year-round skating and coaching.

Parking is an issue (isn't that always the case in a university town?). The situation may get worse when the new student center opens for business on January 2, 2006. That's a mixed curse (opposite of a mixed blessing!) because the new student center is RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET from the rink and will house a slew of restaurants and a coffee shop with a FIREPLACE! Here's a snap of the new student center as seen from the front door of Bird Arena:


The mezzanine area provides a fairly warm place for skater's parents to watch the progress of their children. Cozy chairs and carpeting make it appealing, but it's of little use for the skater him/her self.


One area in which there is a decided need for space is the lobby. It's small even for just a handful of figure skaters, and vastly insufficient for heavily attended public sessions.


Freestyle hours are adequate (I usually skate about 10 or so hours per week), and include some early morning sessions for worker bees like me.

We have a couple talented coaches, but they are university students. That means the coaching staff turns over every four or five years. There's a move afoot by the figure skating director to make non-student coaches an option, but she will have to be creative because of the university's current policies.

Fees are very reasonable: freestyle ice time is $7 for 45 minute sessions, and around $30/hour for coaching. (edit: updated August 2008)

This rink is rather distant from other rinks. Columbus Ohio is about 1-1/2 hours away by car, so there's not much visiting by skaters from other rinks.

Bird Arena
102 Oxbow Trail
Athens OH 45701
(740) 593-4676

http://www.ohiou.edu/recreation/bird

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Bill Schneider

There are three Chiller rinks in the greater Columbus, Ohio area and each of them has two sheets of ice. These rinks are fairly new with large lobbies. They have always been busy when I've visited.

The newest and most impressive is Chiller North. Up next is Chiller Easton which is conveniently located next to a large upscale shopping area. Chiller Dublin is fairly far from the metro area. It was recently updated with new flooring, but it still feels like the oldest of the three rinks.

Restrooms have been clean when I've visited, and that's where I change into and out of skating clothes.

What I like: the freestyle sessions are all business, with plenty of talented skaters to learn something from.
It's managed very professionally (from my limited vantage point as an occasional visitor).
It's new, clean, and spacious.
There are plenty of glassed-in and heated areas outside of the ice for spectators/parents.
Availability of experienced coaches.
Plenty of free parking.

What concerns me: Popular freestyle sessions can be VERY busy, with high-level skaters zipping about everywhere.
Costs are higher than my home rink, but probably very reasonable compared to other rinks.

Here are some pictures of Chiller North which was just opened in 2006:


This is the parking area and entrance to Chiller North. All of the Chillers house two sheets of ice.


The front desk and skate rental area as seen from the 2nd story mezzanine.


View of the figure skating side from the mezzanine.


The large mezzanine is used by parents watching their skaters, or by the rink to host parties, etc.

The web site for the Chiller rinks is: http://www.thechiller.com/

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Bill Schneider

Wow! nice rink.

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Keep Evolving. "From this moment forward, every voice that told you - You Can't - , has been silenced." - Freedom Writers

Very nice rinks Bill, and good photos too!

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Level one Field Moves......PASSED 05.06.08
Level one Free dance.....PASSED 02.10.08

GOALS FOR 2009

• Level One Compulsary dances.......PASSED 19.02.09
• Level One Elements.....................PASSED 10.07.09
• Level Two Free dance.................PASSED 19.02.09
• Level One Free...........................
• Level Two compulsory dances.......

Loving it, Loving it, Loving it!!!!!

There are two rink that I usually skate at Long Beach Ice Arena and Aviator

Long Beach Ice Arena

good points: recently changed ownership the new owners are into skating and are doing many things for the better, they expanded the lobby area, they'll be putting in a fireplace, and there are plans for dance sessions to come soon, the morning public sessions are great almost like a freestyle with usually no more than 10 people on the ice. during publics they cone a BIG circle for figure skating in the middle and most of the time staff is good about keeping wanna be hockey players away from the middle. plenty of free parking

needs improvement: the rink tends to be very cold so bundle up, very limited freestyle sessions in the late afternoon, outdated website

Aviator

good points: new rink with two sheets of ice, plenty of public and freestyle sessions even on holidays, great ice and good temp at the rink, beautiful new facility in a sports complex, they clean the ice on public sessions every 1 to 1 1/2 hours, after cutting ice they change directions, fairly good rental boots, plenty of free parking, up to date website with pictures

needs improvement: Sat nite public sessions are a nightmare very packed staff did not control coned center, no pro shop yet, website states classes they plan to have (ie: artistic etc.) but they have yet to open these classes

I'm furious at my rink at the moment so I will resist an angry message - but all the other rinks look so nice. I wish I got to skate at one of those all the time.

Come down to Streatham sometimes - it's very far from perfect, but a lot better than yours (which I really don't like, I have to admit!). Husband would be more than delighted to dance with you on Thursday evenings (I seldom go to that session, but always enjoy it when I do), and there are one or two other men who would prove good partners for you, too. Also don't forget Alexandra Palace club night on the first Wednesday of this month at 8:45 pm (Christmas music again next week, alas!).

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I am seriously considering another rink as mine is difficult.

What are the evening session times at Streatham just out of interest?

This is my rink, taken today





Sorry about the quality, it was taken on phone.

Things I like

The staff are all really nice and friendly.

The shop is second to none, owned by the guy who works in it who really knows his stuff.

I have got to know a lot of the people who go so I nearly always see someone I know.

Lessons, private or group, are coned off and the usual rules do not apply.

There is a sports bar above with a large window looking down to the rink, so when I take my bloke he can sit up there with a pint and watch.

Doesn't apply so much to rink itself but it is in a good area, with a cinema, pool, gym, bowling and some pubs/restaurants/fast food joints in the same place.


Things I Don't Like

The ice cuts are often REALLY bad. It is not unusual to get snow like ice.

There is no session for beginners only or no hockey skates like there are at other rinks in the area.

It is freezing!

The changing area and toilets are in desperate need of an overhaul. They are digusting.

My lesson starts at 7:15pm, they only serve you and let you from at 7:00. If there is a queue this does not leave much time to get sorted, and it was worse before I had my own skates as you had to queue twice.

Patch varies - Tuesday and Thursday it's 16:30-19:00, Wednesday it's 19:00-20:00 and Friday it's 16:30-18:00. Figure Club is 19:00-20:00 on Tuesdays, and Dance Club the same time on Thursdays.

I think the Tuesday and Thursday evening public sessions are okay, if crowded - they start at 20:00 and there are adult learn-to-skate classes for the first half hour. I think closing time is 22:00 but Clare will know better than I do, as she skates on the sessions and I don't. I think on Wednesdays and Fridays they are more disco-type sessions, but I could be wrong about Wednesdays.

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I've never skated at Basingstoke myself but my daughter competed there this year and last. It seems like a good rink, but the one thing that I really don't like is the fact that it's so cold. Our rink is so warm that it comes as a shock. By the time my daughter skated her artistic programme later in the day there was a fog hanging over the ice due to the cold temperature, and all her photos have this misty effect because of it! The area is great though. Plenty to do with the kids if they have time to kill between classes and some good places to eat around there too.

Nicki

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www.myspace.com/insatiableskater

Tuesday and Thursday public sessions are 8pm-10.30pm and are usually busy at first but then start to ease off for about the last hour or so of the session. Wednesday public is 8pm-10pm and seems to be the quietest of all the evening sessions. Weekend daytime sessions- don't go there!!

Clare

Hey, a thread all my own!!

Bill, I went to the Chiller North a few months back when I was in the Columbus area. It was a Sunday public skate but not at all crowded and the ice was nice.

Today's venue: Nelson Worthington Rink at Memorial Park, Brattleboro, VT. A seasonal rink that I imagined would just be in a field at the park but it was actually covered, sheet metal/meat locker style. So, yeah, it was cold, but I was prepared with a hat. Nice ice, and an **adults-only session** was a welcome reprieve from the many children who have been scaring the )(@)#(*$ out of me all week!! And a bargain at $3 for a non-resident (WOW!!!)

Very friendly environment, there were 10 people at most, one taking a lesson, one evidently from the figures era (very very neat style of movement). The latter gave me a tip as my 3-turns were pathetic. Another middle-aged dude complimented me on my spiral, and I did likewise--for a guy he really got his leg up nicely and the arms were also nice. It was a hard-working crew there; one woman had recently passed her Gold moves test.

The bad: Windy, confusing detour to get there because a covered bridge was being repaired.
The good: Classical music being played during the entire session. Granted, it was kind of greatest hits of the 1700s, but still, soooo much better than most radio station dreck.

I wondered if anyone here had been to these rinks!

I too like their ice. They do a good job. Public skate attendance is unpredicatable. I've seen some where you couldn't fall down if you wanted to - but that's mostly at Easton which is close to the big shopping area. I suppose parents drop their kids off while they shop.

Chiller North is a bit out of the way, but not as far as Chiller Dublin which is in the middle of nowhere. Too bad both are nearly 100 miles from my home though. I'd like to go there more often, but logistics largely prevent that until summer.

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Bill Schneider

Here is a link to our rink which we, obviously, think is the best in the UK!!

http://www.icesheffield.com If you click on the main picture you get a virtual tour.

Happy New Year to you all

Yep. I agree. iceSheffield is fantastic!

Nicki

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www.myspace.com/insatiableskater

You certainly have far and away the nicest off-ice facilities, and can we have the British Adults there again in 2007, please????

This is my rink. They are going to build a shiny new rink next door within the next couple of years, and then it will close, but for now, this is home! And this is my teacher - he isn't quite such a thug as that photo makes him look!

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Mrs Redboots
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I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

I will second that!!


I'm glad about that, I wouldnt like to meet him on a dark night looking like that!!

Mrs Redboots: You gotta tell your coach to NOT put his police record mug shots on the website. It scares a lot of potential clients off!!! LOL!!!

This is my home rink! And the parorama view of the rink is now on this page. (Isn't that a beautiful rink, though??? Nice, open, airy!!!)

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

That is such a lovely rink! And I love the fact they recommend you take photos, you aren't meant to in ours without permission which I think is way OTT!