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Township May Contract Out Ice Rink Management
By Catherine Galioto
Government is in the business of picking up garbage and policing its streets.
But Brick Township may find itself in a business that differs drastically from these operations.
Should the township buy the Ocean Ice Palace and surrounding land, it would find itself in the ice-rink management business. Township Administrator Scott Pezarras said there is no expertise in this arena on the township staff. Because of that, Brick would have to contract with an entity that would manage the ice rink on its behalf.
Instead of having Brick hire everyone from the facility manager to the clerk who rents skates, an outside company would best handle these matters, Pezarras said.
One company got wind of the possible project, and asked township officials if they'd like an unofficial presentation on what ice rink management is all about. United Skates visited with township officials recently to do just that. The Columbus, Ohio company traveled from the MidWest to explain to Pezarras, Council President Stephen Acropolis and others what it does. It explained the type of revenue ice rinks generate and offered frames of reference as the township investigates the issue.
United Skates manages hockey rinks and roller rinks in locations across the U.S., Pezarras said.
A site like the one in Woodbridge, which is less than five years old, sees revenue of $1.49 million, Pezarras said.
After touring the Ocean Ice Palace, United Skates estimated that site should generate $1 million in revenue. Put another way, the company would aim to bring in $250,000 more than the current owner brings in.
"They explained the services, the managerial practices, including their programs," Pezarras said of the meeting with United Skates.
Special programs at an ice rink could include creating specialized leagues or events, he said.
In its corporate information available at its Web site, United Skates calls itself the largest roller skating, ice skating, bowling & family fun center chain in the United States, with over 30 years of experience. The chain had more than two million guests visit its facilities in 2002.
Among its 30 facilities in places like New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania, the core customers are children ages 5-15 and their families. Things like laser lights, posters and other décor are part of the "look," Pezarras said.
Township Attorney Jean Cipriani emphasized that in order to pick a management company, the township would have to go out to bid. It couldn't solicit companies to come in for the job without that process, she said. Council President Stephen Acropolis said United Skates' presentation was more of a volunteer visit, made just to educate officials on what ice rink management entails.
Councilman Michael Thulen asked what staffing such a facility would require. Pezarras said he did not yet know. Instead, the visit yielded information on the different looks and feels an ice rink can go for.
"Touches like skate rental, snack bars, and those types of things," Pezarras said.
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