Te facility currently employs five


full-time employees and more than 50 part-time staff, including building supervisors, skating instructors, cashiers and skate guards.


Troughout its 40-plus year history,


Centennial Ice Rinks has had just two general managers (Juliar, who worked 38 years for the Wilmette Park District, and current general manager, since 2012, Sean Flynn) and two skating directors (Dodie Bova and current skating director since 1995, Vickie Tassone). Tis low turnover has contributed to the arena’s unique, family-like atmosphere.


“We provide a safe, friendly and


welcoming environment for all of our patrons,” said Flynn, who is an ISI Certified Arena Executive (CAE) and a former semi-pro hockey player. “Our facility is like a family; parents feel comfortable dropping their kids off at the facility. Our learn-to-skate program services over 1,000 kids annually and our hockey programs are consistently competitive.”


Programming


Centennial offers a full range of ice sports programs and is a firm believer in the ISI Ice Skating program. Tey require all of their instructors to be ISI Professional members.


“To us, the ISI Learn to Skate program


makes the most sense in that it provides the stepping stones for successful skater development,” said Tassone, a former professional skater with Ice Capades and


Holiday on Ice International. “Elements are taught in a sequential order that provide building blocks for a well- rounded skater.


“Te provision of `something for


everyone’ keeps our teens involved through their high school years and skaters of all abilities are able to feel a sense of accomplishment and are rewarded for their progress.”


Public skate sessions are offered daily


in the late mornings as well as on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons.


“Our Friday evening and Saturday and


Sunday afternoons are the most popular sessions and average around 150 skaters,” said Tassone. “Every other Friday, we offer TGIF Skates with a DJ, and during the Skate with Santa event we take donations for New Trier Township Food Pantry for a discounted admission.”


While birthday parties are not a large


revenue generator for the rink due to lack of time to host them, they do provide an opportunity to introduce party-goers to public skate sessions and other programs. Attendees receive a pass for one free public skate session and instructors are highly successful at selling other programs, according to Flynn.


The facility’s major user groups


include the Wilmette Hockey Association, New Trier High School Hockey, Loyola University Hockey and the Wilmette Cougars Women’s team.


Special events include: Spooky Skate,


Loyola Tanksgiving Hockey Tournament, Super Sunday (free 30-minute classes), Skate with Santa, Holiday Exhibition, New Trier Holiday Tournament, Northern Illinois Hockey Association Playoff Tournament, Spring Ice Show, the Mid-Summer Classic Figure Skating Competition and Summer Exhibition.


Tis spring, the rink will host a national ISI competition: ISI Conference


Centennial Website: wilmetteparks.org Facebook: Centennial Ice Rinks Instagram: @WilmetteParks Twitter: @WilmetteParks


Championships, May 31-June 2. Entry deadline for the event is April 1. Conference Champs will precede ISI’s 60th Anniversary Conference & Trade Show scheduled June 4-7 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago – Oak Brook.


“We are busy getting the word out to


both patrons and staff, and due to hosting multiple events at our facility we are sure to be ready for it,” said Flynn. “To be able to bring skaters from across the country to our facility is a big deal. Te benefit is huge for us; not only do we see increased revenue from ice sales due to practice ice, but we also see additional revenues from concession and vending — not to mention the energy level in the building months prior to the event until well after the event is complete.”


ISI Education


Tassone has been attending ISI’s annual conferences since the 1990s and Flynn, since 2001. Both have contributed their time and expertise to lead various educational sessions at many of these conferences. Flynn also has presented at numerous seminars hosted by ISI as well as the Minnesota Ice Arena Manager’s Association (MIAMA) and the North East Ice Skating Managers Association (NEISMA).


“Going to conferences and seminars


has helped us with education, networking and staying in the forefront of what is going on in the industry,” said Flynn, adding, “We are excited about the new direction ISI is going and will continue to support its mission of creating lifelong skaters.”


“ To us, the ISI Learn to Skate program makes the most sense in that it provides the stepping stones for successful skater development. Elements are taught in a sequential order that provide building blocks for a well-rounded skater.”


Centennial Ice Rinks Assistant Manager and Skating Program Director Vickie Tassone 22 WINT ER 2 018


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