The arena hosts 10 to 15 birthday parties per month.

ISI CONFERENCE CHAMPS

Next year, ISI’s annual Conference Championships will take place at Piney Orchard June 1-3.

“Everyone is excited that we are hosting Conference Champs,” said Piney Orchard Ice Arena Skating Director Linda Monney. “Our U.S.F.S [U.S. Figure Skating] skaters want to take part and will join ISI and adapt their programs. Our competition volunteers are the best ever!”

Tis will be the first time that Piney

Orchard has hosted a national ISI event. However, their annual ISI-endorsed ISI Invitational attracts approximately 300 skaters from the D.C./Baltimore/ Annapolis region, according to Monney, who was a Senior Lady U.S. Figure Skating competitor in earlier years. “Our Piney Orchard Figure Skating Team does an amazing job volunteering, and I have been told it is the best ISI competition in the area.”

Te arena also hosts several hockey

tournaments annually, including Silver Sticks, two Showdown tournaments and two Big Bear tournaments. Special figure skating events, in addition to the ISI Invitational, include both a holiday and spring show for learn-to-skate students and team skaters, summer camp, a Halloween skating party and an end-of- the-year pool party.

Piney Orchard employs a general

manager/hockey director, facility manager, business/office manager,

skating director and four front-desk attendants, six night managers/resurfacer drivers and 15 rink guards.

It maintains a full programming

schedule serving all facets of its customer base. It uses the ISI Learn- to-Skate curriculum, which strives to develop basic skills, build confidence and encourage participation in the recreational skating level and beyond. All coaches are highly qualified and the majority of them are gold medalists in U.S. Figure skating.

Te Piney Orchard Figure Skating

Team was established at the rink in 1997 and attracts more than 50 participants skating as individuals or as part of a synchro and/or production team.

“I had never heard of ISI until I moved

to Maryland,” said Monney, who has held her current position at Piney Orchard for 20 years. “Back then, there was only one rink in the area and now there are five. “I had never seen an ISI competition

“ I think the ISI program is outstanding at teaching beginning skills leading to ISI competitions. Skaters learn to perform and gain confidence in their skating. Many of the skaters choose to do USFS [U.S. Figure Skating] testing and competitions as they progress.”

Piney Orchard Ice Arena Skating Director Linda Monney 22 WINT ER 2 017

but then one rink hosted one and then one by one, each rink hosted one,” she said. “I really like them because they provide recreational skaters goals and the opportunity to perform.

“I think the ISI program is outstanding

at teaching beginning skills leading to ISI competitions. Skaters learn to perform and gain confidence in their skating. Many of the skaters choose to do USFS [U.S. Figure Skating] testing and competitions as they progress.”

Other arena program offerings inclu-

de a beginner hockey program, travel hockey program, fall/winter adult hockey league and a high school summer hockey league.

Public skate sessions are offered

Monday through Friday mornings and Sunday and Monday afternoons. Cost is $8 and $4 for skate rental. Highly qualified coaches are available for private instruction during the sessions.

Te arena features two attractive

party rooms and additional space in the lobby that can function as a gathering spot for celebrations. Tey typically host between 10 to 15 parties per month, held on Sunday afternoons during public skate sessions. Party packages include a party host, free t-shirt, free skating for parents of the birthday child, public skating admission, skate rental, balloons, party bags, pizza and beverage. For an additional $40, a coach is provided to assist with a half-hour skating lesson.