The Cost of Running an Ice Rink
Trust me, that I know quite well that my most dedicated readers are hockey coaches, parents and older players, and NOT rink owners or managers. I’m writing this post, however, because I’d like my most dedicated readers to understand the bigger picture, and what goes on in the minds of those who make the ice available to them. Going into this piece, I’d just like to offer the basics of the following to everyone, in general. At the very end, I’ll also offer a suggestion to head coaches and maybe some hockey parents.
Q: A self-described (and maybe frustrated) rink manager in Ohio notes that, “Due to financial constraints I can not afford to continually purchase pucks for my in-house teams. Each team/coach gets 50 pucks in the beginning of a season and it seems like all the teams lose their pucks halfway into the season…”
And from there, the rink manager goes on to describe the way different coaches are and aren’t helping in this cause.
A: First, Wow!
Okay, the real first… In a way, I can appreciate the guy’s feelings. I’ve also lost a kzillion pucks per season, and I know that half of them were sent flying out of the rink by kids just horsing around.
Still, there is a second side to this dilemma… Both Mr Frustrated and I have to understand that hockey is all about pucks. Actually, I always carry somewhere between twice and three times as many pucks as I have players, mainly because I don’t ever want a drill to be slowed while someone searches for one. Yes, pucks are essential, and lots of them.
Actually, let’s consider a third approach to this problem… You know, I get ticked every time a rink goes up on my ice costs. I quickly calm, though, remembering that a training facility is indispensable for what I do, and it’s as indispensable to all who love playing, coaching or watching the game.
So, in the end, my customers (and the rink owner’s customers) just have to appreciate that we have to raise OUR fees in order to meet the higher costs of doing business.
And that’s what I suggest my rink manager friend should do… Rather than being penny wise and pound foolish, I’d advise him to buy a storage room full of pucks, build the cost into his program, and forever more quit worrying where all those little black things went.
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Okay, that tip I promised earlier for head coaches and others…
You see, I kinda lucked into something very early in my coaching career. What happened was that I was standing right by the Zamboni doors one night, and noticed that the machine operator had a plastic crate half-full of pucks stashed in a corner. It was obvious he’d collected them from around the rink, and that most of them had been shot out, either in game action or when players were fooling around and flipping them out. Anyway, I asked the guy, what he was planning on doing with those puck, and he immediately winked and asked me to make him an offer. Hmmmmmmm…
Understand that I ultimately made arrangements with the ice makers I knew at several local rinks. And, I can remember paying 25-cents per puck, or $25 for a full crate. No matter the number, I’d end up with more pucks than I’d ever need, and for far, far less that what new ones would have cost.
So, if you get a chance, make friends with a Zamboni driver.
