Rink Operators (Artistic Sessions Rant)

[70's skater]

Ok, please excuse this rant, but I just found out that one of my local rinks is discontinuing it's artistic skating session. They said they need the time for lessons, that they weren't taking in enough money, etc. Who knows the REAL reason.
I'm mad on two counts:
1. "Not enough money"??? What's the matter with these people? They persist in charging $5 or $6 per session. EVER been to movie??? $10!!! Raise your entrance!! Why shouldn't entrance be the same as the cost of a movie?

2. If we (they) keep stopping artistic sessions, there will be less artistic skaters, thus continuing the vicious circle.

So Rink operators, CHARGE an appropriate admission and you might even make some money! then be able to continue having artistic sessions, ENCOURAGING the sport instead of going along with the decline.

I know there are folks that will say $10 is outrageous, but come on folks, back in the 70's rink admission was $3... The same cost as a movie. Why shouldn't we keep pace?

Thanks for reading.
D

[masterd]

I agree with you but look at reality. Rinks do not make a lot of money from artistic skaters. Sessions is how they survive. Unless you have a large skating club we are not that important.

The rink the pushes artistics skating is the rink operator that has kids skating or the owner is or was an artistic skater and a coach. An example of this is the rink in Lynwood IL just outside of Chicago. He owns his rink, his kids are world class skaters and he promotes artistic skating very much.

[Kennedy]

We had a local rink cancel an artistic meet one week before the meet. The excuse: they could make more money having birthday parties.

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by Kennedy

We had a local rink cancel an artistic meet one week before the meet. The excuse: they could make more money having birthday parties.

this is so true the real money at a rink these days are birthday parties and renting the rent for whatever. sessions are the smaller end and the art and speed clubs are below that.

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by masterd

I agree with you but look at reality. Rinks do not make a lot of money from artistic skaters. Sessions is how they survive. Unless you have a large skating club we are not that important.

The rink the pushes artistics skating is the rink operator that has kids skating or the owner is or was an artistic skater and a coach. An example of this is the rink in Lynwood IL just outside of Chicago. He owns his rink, his kids are world class skaters and he promotes artistic skating very much.

you must be talking about the Pecks? nice family and i know the son personally and Tony is a great kid.

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by 70's skater

Ok, please excuse this rant, but I just found out that one of my local rinks is discontinuing it's artistic skating session. They said they need the time for lessons, that they weren't taking in enough money, etc. Who knows the REAL reason.
I'm mad on two counts:
1. "Not enough money"??? What's the matter with these people? They persist in charging $5 or $6 per session. EVER been to movie??? $10!!! Raise your entrance!! Why shouldn't entrance be the same as the cost of a movie?

2. If we (they) keep stopping artistic sessions, there will be less artistic skaters, thus continuing the vicious circle.

So Rink operators, CHARGE an appropriate admission and you might even make some money! then be able to continue having artistic sessions, ENCOURAGING the sport instead of going along with the decline.

I know there are folks that will say $10 is outrageous, but come on folks, back in the 70's rink admission was $3... The same cost as a movie. Why shouldn't we keep pace?

Thanks for reading.
D

yes they could get more for the session but they dont get many club artistic skaters from those sessions to be honest. which rink in mass has just done that???? seems they are concerned about their club and competitive artistic skaters.

[pastskater]

Originally Posted by rwsz

yes they could get more for the session but they dont get many club artistic skaters from those sessions to be honest. which rink in mass has just done that???? seems they are concerned about their club and competitive artistic skaters.

The issues of having private teachers is another means of making a profit being they've them. Most coaches have to pay a fee for teaching there(rink) for their private instructions...not to mention the mandatory time with the rink if in their agreement. In turn this then would make it up some time for the Artistic skaters though not a session.


Sorry to hear this~
Quite a bad move to make a change with such a short notice before the meet...that stinks!

[LinP]

Our club is very lucky to have owner/operators who are skaters and love skating. Although they will occasionally cancel an open practice time in order to hold a private party, they give their art skaters lots of time. We don't have an artistic/dance session, however, we have a weekly organ skate. Props to Allen Bell and Jeanne Sincavage for being very supportive owners/operators. If you're ever in southeastern Pennsylvania, stop in and skate with our club.

[pastskater]

Originally Posted by LinP

Our club is very lucky to have owner/operators who are skaters and love skating. Although they will occasionally cancel an open practice time in order to hold a private party, they give their art skaters lots of time. We don't have an artistic/dance session, however, we have a weekly organ skate. Props to Allen Bell and Jeanne Sincavage for being very supportive owners/operators. If you're ever in southeastern Pennsylvania, stop in and skate with our club.

Being I have family back there it may be a day there. I wish to thank you for your response! More people like you the more crowds may be interested in coming back.

[masterd]

Originally Posted by rwsz

you must be talking about the Pecks? nice family and i know the son personally and Tony is a great kid.

That is who I was talking about. Great family. We try to get to Chicago when we can so we can work with John.

[masterd]

Originally Posted by LinP

Our club is very lucky to have owner/operators who are skaters and love skating. Although they will occasionally cancel an open practice time in order to hold a private party, they give their art skaters lots of time. We don't have an artistic/dance session, however, we have a weekly organ skate. Props to Allen Bell and Jeanne Sincavage for being very supportive owners/operators. If you're ever in southeastern Pennsylvania, stop in and skate with our club.

What is the name of your rink? My dance partner and I are planning on Donora in March. This will be our first trip to PA to skate.

[NaNaDo]

Originally Posted by LinP

Our club is very lucky to have owner/operators who are skaters and love skating. Although they will occasionally cancel an open practice time in order to hold a private party, they give their art skaters lots of time. We don't have an artistic/dance session, however, we have a weekly organ skate. Props to Allen Bell and Jeanne Sincavage for being very supportive owners/operators. If you're ever in southeastern Pennsylvania, stop in and skate with our club.

Hi Lin!!!!!!!!! and yes, Allen and Jeanne are "the best'.... "very good people", who love Skating of all types!!! They really DO give the Artistic skaters plenty of floor time!!! Sunday evening is a live Organ session with Dance Steps too! Beautiful floor!!! ... Can't say enough good things about Fantasy!

I believe our rink, Olympic, may just have the smallest club around but they still give us plenty of floor time and still hang on to that Tuesday evening live Organ session too! Many, many skaters volley back and forth between these two rinks to help support each others sessions and their Organist's! Lin, I saw quite a few skaters from Fantasy on Tuesday when Bill Clark came in to play the session with Marty!!! What a great time we all had!!!

See you Sept 23rd !!!

NaNaDo (aka: regina)
www.reginam.com

[LinP]

Originally Posted by masterd

What is the name of your rink? My dance partner and I are planning on Donora in March. This will be our first trip to PA to skate.

Master D, we are located in Reading, PA. That's about five hours away from Donora, between Allentown and Philadelphia. We love going to Donora. The floor is awesome, a beautiful rotunda floor. Very fast. The judges are top drawer, and very tough. My son, who won Soph A solo at nationals this year was placed 5th at Donora. Of course, he changed coaches! No, really, he did change coaches right after that, but the feedback from good judges helped to motivate him. But if you are ever headed to PA, in the area of Reading, please skate with us at Fantasy.
Lin P

[bobnva]

Originally Posted by LinP

My son, who won Soph A solo at nationals this year was placed 5th at Donora.
Lin P

Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy watching your son skate. His Jr. WC Solo Freedance routine was the best I saw at Nationals. He needs a great girl to team with and he could be on the world podium one day soon.

[rwsz]

Originally Posted by bobnva

Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy watching your son skate. His Jr. WC Solo Freedance routine was the best I saw at Nationals. He needs a great girl to team with and he could be on the world podium one day soon.

well he could be on the world podium this year in jwc solo dance seeing its a new event or in wc when he reaches that level.