2023 NARCE Thoughts – Why Experience Matters
Hello, Rink Fans! We had an excellent time at NARCE (the North American Rink Conference & Expo) in Buffalo, N.Y. We always enjoy attending this event to renew friendships and meet new people.
At the event, we had a chance to discuss the latest technology and innovations with vendors. We also spoke with rink managers from around the country, and from time to time, we heard stories about their facilities and the issues they deal with because the original architect didn't fully understand the complexities of a rink.
One manager stopped by and told us that the designer thought it would be good to put the refrigeration equipment room up front where people could see it. They put in big windows so you could see into the room because they thought the equipment was "cool" and wanted to use it as a design feature.
Three things that happened as a result of this:
The location of the pro shop got pushed to the back instead of being in the prominent location that is taken by the equipment room.
Damage was caused to the facility because someone picked up a rock and threw it through the window.
The rink has an extra duty to ensure this room is always presentable because the reality is not all equipment rooms are kept spotless.
An experienced rink architect knows the lobby area is prime real estate to generate revenue. Every dollar counts, and you want every opportunity to reach your customers, you especially don’t want to give that space to the refrigeration equipment.
Another story we heard was about a need for adequate storage space. The manager of a multipurpose facility told us he has pallets of rink coverboard he needs to move down a long hallway to a storage area because the room right off the floor was not sized to hold everything. Typically, this wouldn't be the end of the world, except the hallway is only a few inches wider than the pallets. This causes stress and damage to the walls and pallets of materials.
We will let you in on a little secret – architects don't always get things right! When you hire an architect with rink or multipurpose experience, you have a much better chance of designing an efficient and successful building.
You want to put your trust in someone that has been through it many times. To learn more or talk to a recreational architect, contact us today!
