Since I.C.E. Arena reopened on October 12, the workers have been swamped sharpening skates for both figure skaters and hockey players in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on October 19, 2020. Megan Towler who works in the Pro Shop and sharpens skates said her favorite part of the job is to sharpen skates because she finds it very relaxing.
Britney Knopp, left, talks to Mandy Cohoon, right, and her son Caleb Cahoon about how hockey will look like at the ice rink this year in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan on October 27, 2020. Knopp has been working at the ice rink for the last several years and has developed relationships with many hockey families.
For youth leagues the ice rink will not being using locker rooms, so the kids usually come mostly dressed or will dress in the lobby to limit the locker room use in Mt. Pleasant on October 27, 2020. Knopp mentioned that they are trying to limit the people in the locker rooms to limit the times the workers have to clean them, and she told the youth teams to come dressed to the rink.
Britney Knopp, red sweatshirt, shows Megan Towler, blue sweatshirt, how to sharpen skates on October 27, 2020. Towler has only been working at the ice arena for the past year and just recently been asked to work in the pro shop.
Jenna Harnick, practices a jump before her figure skating lesson on October 19, 2020. Harnick is also a figure skating teacher at the I.C.E. Arena, and she mentioned that it is great to be back on the ice.
Ice rink worker, Megan Towler sprays down each of the chairs, that are placed 6 feet apart, to clean them off for the next person who decides to sit down on October 27, 2020 in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. “Cleaning is not my favorite part of the job but it is very necessary to stay open and to keep everyone safe,” said Towler.
Ken Hisey, red sweatshirt, shows Dylan Bray, plaid shirt, how to cut the ice and drive the zamboni on October 27, 2020. After each skate, Hisey has to zam the ice for the next group and at the end of each night.
I.C.E. Arena in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. finally opened up on October 12, for youth hockey, high school hockey, figure skating, and Beer League. Britney Knopp, one of the managers of the ice rink said, “We hope to have open skate and stick and pucks back by this January, but I would not be surprised if that doesn’t comes back until next August.”
To keep everyone safe, the ice rink decided on a few rules. Everyone must wear a mask when entering the building and keep it on. Every hockey player, coach, parent and figure skaters must wear a mask on the ice and keep six feet apart if possible to minimize contact with others. Around the ice rink, they have cleaning stations, and the workers go around and spray and wipe down all the seats that are placed six feet apart. The staff also ask for everyone entering the rink to sign in to keep track of everyone in case a COVID case pops up.
“We try to keep people out of the locker rooms because we just don’t have the staff to keep as clean as we want, so we decided that youth leagues and figure skaters will get ready on the benches but high school and Beer League will get their own locker rooms since they are older and have more gear,” explained Knopp.
High school hockey players have their own locker room and Beer League practices at night, so the staff only have to clean them about two times a night. Knopp and Ken Hisey also decided to close the Pro Shop to customers to limit contact with the staff and customers, but they are still selling certain items like tape and laces but people must go up to the front desk to purchase any items that are on display in the shop.
“We are doing anything and everything to keep the ice rink clean and to make not only our staff but also our hockey players, parents and figure skaters to feel safe. We want to stay open and give everyone the chance to do the sports they love while staying safe,” said Knopp.
