Jordan Valley Ice Park to draw on varied revenues

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The ice park is the first jewel of the Jordan Valley Park crown, making the transition from dream to reality.|ret||ret||tab|

Part of that reality is that the bills have to be paid and the debt serviced. That's part of what co-managers Kevin Burgherr and Jeff Cumley are up against as the ice rink officially became part of the downtown scene at its grand opening Sept. 22. |ret||ret||tab|

Burgherr and Cumley, along with the management company, Group Seven, headed by developer Tony Sansone of St. Louis, have plenty of ideas for making the rink pay its way, apart from the revenues anticipated from the public's use and enjoyment of the two rinks. |ret||ret||tab|

It's not as if the revenues from each rink are expected to be puny. On the contrary, each rink holds 200 skaters within its 80-by-100-foot dimensions, and at $5 a head for adults for two hours' ice time, plus skate rental of $2, the twin rinks should bring in cash from day one.|ret||ret||tab|

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Skating lessons|ret||ret||tab|

So the first order of business will be teaching people to skate, and experienced professionals are on staff to do so. The ice park offers the Learn to Skate program and a hockey initiation program that range in price from $95 to $170 for six weeks of lessons. |ret||ret||tab|

Basic equipment required for taking part in the Learn to Skate program includes skates, which can be rented by those who don't have their own, as well as helmets, which must be purchased. Gloves or mittens are recommended for skaters, who should be dressed in warm, loose layers of clothing. |ret||ret||tab|

From ice skating to hockey is a logical step, and so developing a community interest in playing or watching hockey is in the hands of a man who has played hockey since he was 4 years old. Justin Stiehr, 23, formerly with the St. Louis Cardinals and an experienced hockey player, has been brought to town to direct hockey operations and manage the pro shop.|ret||ret||tab|

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Ice hockey |ret||ret||tab|

The first word Stiehr wants to get out to area residents is that hockey doesn't have to be prohibitively expensive. A starter protective gear set runs about $90 and helmets start at $30. |ret||ret||tab|

Anyone who takes an ice skating or hockey lesson will have to wear a helmet for insurance purposes, Stiehr said. Although skates are for rent, at this time, helmets aren't, he said. But he added that he has scoured the nation to find close-out sales of skating equipment to be offered at a reasonable price.|ret||ret||tab|

To help defray the cost of hockey equipment for those youngsters who want to play but may lack the money to do so, a fund-raiser reception was held Sept. 21, hosted by Urban Districts Alliance. The money raised is to benefit the Springfield-Greene County Park Department's youth scholarship fund, which will provide hockey scholarships.|ret||ret||tab|

The early stages of the hockey development program is co-ed and is open to ages 17 and under.|ret||ret||tab|

Required equipment includes an ice hockey helmet with full face shield, hockey skates, supporter with cup or pelvic protector, throat guard, mouth guard, pads for shoulders and elbows, gloves, shinguards, pants and hockey sticks. |ret||ret||tab|

Teaching hockey to adults and kids will be part of Stiehr's charge of duty. The plan is to develop hockey leagues for both young people and adults. |ret||ret||tab|

The six-week hockey development program costs $179 per person, plus equipment. Once the program is completed, the house league play will begin. Participants end up paying $10 per time on the ice, with three sessions a week. They will receive professional instruction overseen by Stiehr, who played hockey for the St. Louis University Billikens and as an amateur for St. Louis teams. |ret||ret||tab|

The adult hockey program is a non-check league for players 21 years old and up, and it will play on Wednesday or Sunday nights. |ret||ret||tab|

Those interested can register with friends or co-workers as an entire team, which costs $2,500. Or players can register as free agents and be placed on a team for $165.|ret||ret||tab|

Teams need a minimum of 13 players plus a goalie, a team manager or coordinator, USA Hockey Insurance, a team name, and proper equipment. Ice park solid color jerseys will be provided. |ret||ret||tab|

Each session includes 12 regular games plus the playoffs. Wednesday games start at 8 p.m. while Sunday games start at 5 p.m. |ret||ret||tab|

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Figure skating|ret||ret||tab|

Skaters who are interested in skating of a more artistic nature can learn freestyle skating beginning Oct. 1, which can lead to competitive skating and figure skating.|ret||ret||tab|

Lessons will be taught by Sarah Borders, the figure skating director, who has eight years' competitive experience in figure skating. She holds a bachelor's degree in exercise science and directed a world championship skating competition in St. Louis before coming to town. |ret||ret||tab|

Amy Bujdos, the assistant director who will also instruct, has toured with the Ice Capades and performed in Walt Disney's "World on Ice" show. |ret||ret||tab|

Freestyle classes will be held from 11:30 a.m. to noon on Saturdays through Dec. 15 and cost $125, which includes free figure-skate rental. |ret||ret||tab|

The basics to be covered include performance and presentation, which ad-dresses posture, body awareness, balance and gaining confidence in skating. |ret||ret||tab|

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Meetings and parties|ret||ret||tab|

Co-manager Burgherr wants the public to understand that the rink isn't just for skating. One brochure suggests cooling off "your stuffy board meetings or corporate planning sessions" in a large conference room available for renting. The room offers modem and teleconferencing capabilities.|ret||ret||tab|

Six community rooms are available for rent. Concession stands are on the upper and lower levels of the ice park, and there is a video arcade. |ret||ret||tab|

A "Celebration on Ice" package is for birthday celebrations. A skating party package is $159 for up to 10 guests. The package comes with an event coordinator, two hours of public skating with skates provided, a private community room for an hour, ice park invitations, room setup and cleanup, a birthday gift from the park, video game tokens, popcorn and soda. Cakes are optional. |ret||ret||tab|

Other party suggestions are hot dog parties for $3.25 per person, nacho snack parties for $4.25 per person, and pizza parties. But Burgherr said that other par-ty events such as wedding rehearsal dinners or anniversary celebrations could take place in the facility too. And more is offered than the concession menu of iced pastries, cappuccino, jumbo hot dogs and gourmet sausages. |ret||ret||tab|

"We can get as specific as room attendants and steak dinners," Burgherr said. |ret||ret||tab|

The ice park, under the guiding hand of Dan Silas III, food and beverage director, will cater whatever is needed for an event. |ret||ret||tab|

Silas has broad experience in food management. He was supervisor of fine dining at Hickory Hills' Country Club, assistant general manager of the Tower Club and regional dietary manager for Lakes Country Rehabilitation Center.|ret||ret||tab|

An outdoor terrace is available for events, too, weather permitting. It is heated to prevent ice formation in winter.|ret||ret||tab|

The ice rinks themselves can be covered with thermal blankets and a temporary floor placed on top for trade show-type events, Burgherr added.|ret||ret||tab|

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Ad revenues|ret||ret||tab|

Another avenue of cash flow will come from the kickboard advertising space around both rinks, Burgherr said. He hopes the business community will snatch up the available space. |ret||ret||tab|

Already businesses have jumped to be sponsors of the high-profile, $80,000 Zamboni that scraps and smooths the ice between skating sessions. Walton Con-struction, which built the facility, and O'Reilly Automotive share sponsorship.[[In-content Ad]]