Rogers explained that it has been difficult because the ice rinks are not seasonal.
“We need to stay busy, we need to have the ice booked and programs full,” Rogers said. “By the time the Springfield Chiller opens, we will have lost 25 percent of the year.”
During the summer, the ice rink usually has skating and hockey classes, an adult hockey program, public skating sessions, birthday parties, field trips and day camps, Rogers explained.
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As of last week, programs were limited to 22 skaters and four coaches, Rogers said. As the number of cornavirus cases decreases, they are hoping to slowly increase attendance numbers.
“We got our work cut out for us to build programs back up, but we’re confident we can do that,” Rogers said.
The NTPRD Chiller Ice Rink is one of the last ice rinks to reopen within the OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks.
Rogers said they decided to hold off on the reopening of the Springfield location because they have five other locations in and around Columbus and it takes time to build the ice back up.
“We took almost all of our ice out this spring to cut down on expenses while we were closed,” Rogers said. “It takes a good bit of time to build the ice back up and a lot of people, so we had to get staff back, put them through new training processes and we’re building rinks as we speak.”
Building one sheet of ice takes three to five days, Rogers explained. Everything is done by hand including painting the lines and logos.
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Rogers added that their Easton location opened two weeks ago and it was “pretty overwhelming even with all the preparation.”
“Had we tried to open all of them at once, it probably wouldn’t be very manageable,” Rogers said.
He explained that there are new guidelines for customers to follow like not arriving more than 15 minutes before a program, wearing a face mask off-ice and limiting locker room use.
The ice rink has also added additional time between events for cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas.
Rogers said the public skating sessions will have online ticket sales to help monitor the number of tickets sold. Other guidelines and updated attendance policies will be posted on the ice rink’s website.
“We’re just really excited to now be able to finally get back to providing people somewhere fun to come and do something recreational,” Rogers said.
For more information, visit www.ntprdchiller.com.
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