Name: Bob Montrose
Organization Name: Graham Arena Complex
Address: 1570 Fairgrounds Avenue SE
City: Rochester State: MN Zip: 55904
Email: bmontrose@rochestermn.gov
Phone #: 507-358-8991
Website: www.rochestermn.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/indoor-facilities/graham-arena
Tell us how you got into the industry?
I started working hockey camps which also included sharpening skates and driving the Zamboni. That position continued from summer to winter and became a full time position running the arena.
How many years have you been in the ice arena industry?
26 years
What is the best part about working in an ice arena?
Being around kids and seeing the excitement that they bring to the rink every day. It a place for enjoyment for so many people and I am right in the middle of it all.
Using one word, name one thing you love about working at a rink?
Enjoyment
Nobody’s perfect in this industry. Tell us your worst experience at a rink so far?
We had one of the first battery operated machines when they hit the market. I was driving the machine and tangled the charger cable to the conditioner and ripped the entire charger station off the wall. We only had the new machine for a few days before that happened.
What are the first three things you do when you get to the rink each day?
Check e-mail, walk the facility, and update the events schedule.
How do you feel ongoing professional development is helping you and your career?
There are a lot of simple ideas and different ways to better the facilities and better the workplace and by staying in touch with the ongoing communications we are able to put better practices into place and not just maintain the “same old” ways of doing business.
How would you explain to the average hockey parent how the ice resurfacer works to resurface the ice?
There is a sharp blade under the back of the machine that scrapes off the top layer of used ice and a hot water tank replaces it with an even amount of water to provide a new skating surface. As the machine scrapes up the old ice it gets collected in a big open tank in front of the machine. The process takes a little less than 15 minutes and is repeated every hour.
Who would you like to acknowledge for helping (mentoring) you along the way?
Dave Holland
What is the best tip you have learned from any of the classes offered through MIAMA?
I learned the most from the Basic Refrigeration course to gain an overall understanding of how the refrigeration process works.
Jon Balvance
MIAMA Communications Director
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