Ice News
A new ice season is fast approaching. As we open for season two with our new ice mat, we fully expect another winter of superior ice conditions. With the generous approval of the board, work is underway for improvements to the chiller tower to include the addition of a water treatment system that will both extend the life of the tower and reduce water usage costs to SRA during the ice season. We encourage ALL members to make the most of your annual SRA membership and join us for some winter fun and companionship. Whether you choose to enroll in formal lessons or just skate informally with your family, we are happy to have you as part of the SRA ice community! If you have any questions or wish to volunteer for any of the opportunities listed in this newsletter, please contact our Ice Director, Darla Toler, at darlatoler@verizon.net or 232-1574.
Pass Code/Waiver Forms
IMPORTANT: ANYONE wishing to skate MUST sign a Waiver form. To obtain the pass code (the combination) to the rink door, you will also need to sign a Pass Code Agreement form. These can be filled out at the lesson sign-ups or downloaded from the SRA-ICE webpage (http://sra-fun.org, see "Ice Rink Info"). Forms must be returned to the SRA office prior to the door combination being issued. The door combination should not be shared with anyone who has not completed these documents.
Help Wanted -
Opportunities for Ice Involvement
Rink Preparation Crew: We need a group of volunteers to assist us with getting the rink ready for the season. This will involve warming room improvements and cleaning, cleaning and preparation of the spectator area, relocating bleachers back into the rink, cleaning the rink gutters, making minor roof repairs, and painting. The more hands we have, the quicker the work will go! Refreshments will be provided.
Start-up Ice Crew:
In order to open for the season, we are in need of volunteers to help lay the
foundation and base coats of ice. Due to the new mat being placed above the concrete flooring of the old mat, the ice foundation must be deeper than in the past to sufficiently protect the tubing. Depending upon the number of volunteers we have, this preparation can take several weeks. The work is not difficult or highly technical and does not require extensive training. It is much like watering your lawn or garden, allowing time for it to freeze in between waterings (Beth Jones, SRA landscaper extraordinaire, would make a perfect crew member!!) If you have time during the day or evening to lay even a few coats of ice once we begin this process, please let us know. People who live near Southampton are of great assistance, as they can lay many coats of ice with minimal travel and time investment. We will contact
anyone interested with further information once we begin ice making in late October/early November. As the saying goes, many hands make light work, and in this case, many volunteers make quick, thick ice! The faster this process goes, the sooner we can begin the skating season. Many thanks in advance for any time you can devote to this task.
Ice Maintenance Team:
As in the past few years, we will be using a team of trained ice wizard
volunteers to maintain the ice throughout the season. The use of these volunteers brings cost savings to SRA, ensures proper care and usage of the ice wizard, and allows for coordinated care and consistent quality of ice. We are currently gathering names of people interested in helping with ice maintenance this season. This involves being trained to use the ice wizard (our version of the zamboni). Once we hear from volunteers, we will conduct a training on the ice wizard to review the important steps that need to be followed in grooming the ice and and keeping this piece of expensive equipment in good working order. We will be in contact with those members who previously volunteered to maintain ice to inquire about your continued interest and availability. We will post a weekly maintenance schedule and an
official list of members who have been trained and designated to use the ice wizard. Please do not attempt to use the ice wizard unless you have had proper training.
Ice Social team:
If you like to skate and party, this is the volunteer opportunity for you! There are four
dates selected for ice socials throughout the 2011-12 season. We need a few fun-loving volunteers to decorate, make hot cocoa and popcorn, and plan music to make these events festive and something to really look forward to throughout the season! In addition to the ice socials, these volunteers will also assist in the planning and preparation of the dinner and intermission refreshments the evening of the ice revue.
Ice Revue Team:
The Ice Revue is the culminating event for the season. It is much like a dance recital
on ice. There are lots of details involved in the planning and production of the event and we could use a few enthusiastic volunteers to help us with the details including rink preparations, lighting, decorations, costumes, props, and back stage communications. This is a dearly loved event that will be made more pleasurable when the responsibilities and plans are shared by many!!
Ice Email List: Put your email below to receive an invitation to join this group.