2013 James Padgett Award - St. Louis Park Rec Center

Congratulations to the staff at the St. Louis Park Rec Center for being named the 2013 James Padgett award recipient for excellence in the ice arena industry as voted in by the MIAMA Board of Directors. In 2013 there were four fine facilities which applied for the award including the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls, St. Croix Rec Center and Lily lake arena in Stillwater.

The Rec Center underwent a major renovation in 1997 when it added water park features, a second sheet of ice and gallery space and new front office space. While this major renovation added great value there was a piece missing.

In 2012 the staff transformed a tiny pro shop which then consisted of a small closet type area which including aging rental skates and a sharpener into a customer friendly area with better equipment. In fact there were many who use the Rec Center that didn’t even know there was such a function.

The new pro shop was designed in partnership with the St. Louis Park Hockey Assn. and now captures the attention of almost every arena customer. The new pro shop is expanding to offer clothing, memorabilia and other skating accessories. This project represents the innovative and collaborative spirit that James Padgett utilized during his career. This project would not have been what it is without the work of Steve Rosen of the St Louis Park Hockey Assn. and his vision of creating a win-win endeavor.

The Rec Center staff is led by Jason Eisold includes 5 Full time staff and 4 Part Time staff and a skating director. Jason came to the Rec center when Craig Panning retired in 2011. Jason has been in the recreation profession since 2000 and in the ice arena industry since 2007. He had previously worked with a number of municipalities including the City of Northfield, City of Richfield, City of Eagan and Minneapolis Park and Recreation. He holds a BS in recreation Management and a MS in recreation, Sport and Tourism so you can say he’s well-schooled for his position. Originally from Sheboygan Wisconsin Jason enjoys anything outdoors including fishing, hunting and camping.

Like any good manager Jason wanted to recognize the staff for their dedication to the success of the facility. Full time staff includes John Monte, Don Struck, Jon Olson, Casey Drennen and Bob Evers. Part time staff includes Dave Cormier, Nicole Beane, Brittany Evers and Blake Riley. The staff wouldn’t be complete without Skating Director Katherine Sandum.

Applicability

• All ice arenas (including those without internal combustion engine-powered resurfacers and edgers) are covered by the rules.

Acceptable Air Quality

• Acceptable air quality conditions must be maintained throughout the arena building when open to the public.
• Acceptable air quality limits reduced to: one hour average concentrations of < 20 ppm CO and < 0.3 ppm NO2.

Certification

• All ice arenas must apply for certification annually. (MDH will send application and renewal notice.)

Training Requirements

• At least one trained responsible person must be available in the arena building when open to the public.
• Responsible persons must be provided training annually.
• Training must be specifically tailored to the facility and the trainee’s duties.

Measuring Air Quality

• Measurements of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels need to be taken at least twice per week when fuel-powered ice resurfacers are used.
• One of the two sets of required measurements for resurfacers must be on Saturday or Sunday.
• Air quality measurements must be taken at least once per week following maximum use of fuel-burning edgers.
• If edging when arena is open to the public, testing is required 20 minutes after completion of edging.
• If edging when arena is closed to the public, testing can be done any time prior to opening the building to the public.

Air Testing Equipment

• Electronic air monitoring devices are permitted without special approval providing that they meet criteria stated in rule.
• Air monitoring devices must be used, stored and calibrated according to manufacturer specifications.

When CO and/or NO2 Levels are High

• When measurements of CO exceed 20 ppm or NO2 exceed 0.3 ppm, you must:

ü  immediately increase the ventilation rate, and

ü  suspend internal combustion engine use until acceptable air quality conditions are measured throughout the building.

• When unacceptable levels of CO or NO2 are measured, follow-up testing must be performed and documented as follows:

ü  every 20 minutes until acceptable air quality is measured,

ü  20 minutes after the next five uses of ice maintenance equipment, and

ü  at least once per day for the next three days.

Evacuation Conditions

• An area of the arena building must be evacuated if any of following conditions are present:

• When evacuation is necessary, the arena must contact the local fire department for assistance, and notify MDH.
• Evacuated areas can only be re-occupied when:

ü  acceptable air quality conditions are measured,

ü  corrective actions have been taken to prevent re-occurrence of unacceptable air quality, and

ü  MDH or the fire department has verified acceptable air quality conditions and corrective measures.

Recordkeeping Requirements

• Arenas must maintain a recordkeeping log for all required documents.
• The log must be kept in the arena building.
• The log must be available for MDH and public review at all times the arena building is open to the public.
• Required documents must be retained for three years.

Notify MDH when Using Other Fuel Burning Equipment

• MDH must be notified when unvented fuel-burning equipment (other than ice resurfacers or edgers) is used in the ice arena.
• Notification can be made:

ü  in annual certificate application, or

ü  by telephone or email prior to using the equipment.

• Air quality measurements must be taken as directed by MDH.

For more information, contact:

Indoor Air Unit

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651-201-4601

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/arenas/index.html

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND FORMS REGARDING UPDATED RULES

Updated Arena log:

Updated informatino on acceptable measuring devices:

Information sheet in regards to Other Fuel Burning Equipment Notification:

Above article in PDF form from MDH:

MIAMA Spring Conference Adopted Rules Presentation:

The 2013 Arena Survey has been compiled and is now posted.  We apologize for the delay as the file became corrupted and had to start over again from the raw data.

If you completed the survey you have been given access rights.  If you did not complete the survey, you may purchase a copy from the MIAMA office by contacting Dean Mulso at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

The survey can be found under "Documents" in the main menu to the left under the survey category.  You may click below as well.

 2013 Arena Survey

CONGRATULATIONS GARRY HADDEN!

Garry Hadden has retired from the City of East Grand Forks where he worked at the VFW Memorial Youth Center arena for 30 years. He started right when the arena was built in 1983.  He tells people he is not retiring, but changing professions. He has already started doing carpentry work with about 6 decks to build, a shed, residing a house with new windows. And maybe a house to build. He has turned down more business in the last 2 weeks as word got out that he was available to work on home projects.

Garry has served on the MIAMA Board of Directors for 8 years during his arena career and really enjoyed it. If anyone gets the opportunity to be on the board he suggests that you should do it.

One highlight that comes to mind, is receiving the James Padgett award in 1997. Another highlight is when MIAMA co-hosted the ISI National Conference in 2007.

Garry also speaks fondly of the friendships and associations he’s made through the years. “I’ve met a lot of Great arena mangers and hope to still be active in MIAMA. All I have ever heard is how impressive MIAMA is. It definitely is a 1st class operation. Keep up the GREAT job “.

We wish Garry well with his new endeavors and hope to see him at a MIAMA event soon.

Another retiree, Steve Olson ( Litchfield) is leaving our industry after many years!  Thanks Steve….

Please try to make the lunch on June 6^th to wish Steve well wishes and chance to network with retires and colleagues.

Details:

Plymouth Ice Center at 11:15 am on June 6^th.  ( Thanks Bill for hosting and organizing lunch).

$10/person ( cash please) – Sandwich, chips and pop/water.

Please RSVP to me so we have a head count for food.

Bill Able has offered to set up tee times for those that are interested.  9 holes at Hollydale Golf Club – costs are $21 to walk, $28.50 to ride $4.00 less if you are age 60 and RETIRED ( Moriarty)!!!!

Please let me know if you want to golf and I will pass onto Bill to set up tee times.

Hope to see everyone next Thursday.

Mark Vaughn - Eagan Civic Arena

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