Hartford Gets Skate America 2006

[CanAmSk8ter]

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-skateamerica0504.artmay04,0,7858821.story?coll=hc-headlines-local

I hope the Civic Center has improved since the last time I was there (April 2004), or everyone should be prepared for crappy fast food and long lines for EVERYTHING. The arena concourse is narrow and there have been wall-to-wall people at the last several COI performances I've been to, none of which were even close to sold out. It's also incredibly dim, there are no windows or outside light on the concourse anywhere. While Reading, PA was kind of in the middle of nowhere, at least the arena itself was nice.

I assume I'll go, if only because I'll probably have several rinkmates competing and it's always more fun when you know a bunch of competitors, but the thought of hours on end in the Civic Center does not excite me.

[blue111moon]

The only good thing I can think of is that Hartford's only an hour away from my home AND I have college friends living in the next town over. Harttford does have hotels and several decent restaurants downtown.

Isn't Hartford the arena with the REALLY STEEP seating? I seem to remember watching SOI there from Row TTT and feeling as if I was climbing Mt. Everest to get to my seat.

[smurf]

Yes, the Hartford CC has really steep seating.
There is lots of construction going on at the CC and in Hartford in general. The narrow concourse will be the same. Lots of the building is apartments/condos, including a tower at the CC. So maybe by then there will be even more food choices.
I live just south of Hartford and will be glad to not have a hotel bill to attend.

[bridgeport]

The Hartford Civic Center / surrounding area is currently under reconstruction which will be completed before Skate America 2006. In the past, the ice surface has been exceptional with a great crew. Hot dog / long concession line concerns should take a back seat to world class ice skating at Skate America.

[CanAmSk8ter]

That's true, the ice at the Civic Center is really good- at least it was when I last skated there in 1995 or so. I've known people over the years who have been Zam drivers/maintainance people/etc., and they have high standards for ice maintainance there.

I do still think that, judging by what it's like trying to walk around during COI performances that aren't nearly sold out, the arena concourse is going to be a mob scene, especially since they'll have the usual USFS booth and vendors and stuff set up. But I'm sure I'll end up going.

I'll warn everyone now- bring earplugs, because there could be quite a few skaters with Simsbury and/or Newington connections who have a lot of rinkmates there cheering, and you have no idea how loud a bunch of figure skaters can be when they're trying to be heard from several rows up!

[Isk8NYC]

If any locals are putting together a group, I'd be interested in buying tickets.