Category Archives: Ice Arena

Ice Arena Reopens

Ice Arena

The anticipation is about to end. This Homecoming Weekend, Saturday, October 2, the BGSU Ice Arena is holding their grand re-opening called Then, Now and Always.

Starting at noon the Ice Arena will be open for free public skate and Skate with the Falcons Autograph session followed by celebratory remarks including Director of the Ice Arena, Jamie Baringer, and President Carol Cartwright.

Other activities during the reopening include inflatables, refreshments, and student and community organization display booths.

Attendees can see the renovations in the Ice Arena. Baringer said a lot of the renovations were more behind the scene kind of stuff.

The renovations include: new compressors, chillers, dehumidification system, new lighting over the main ice, new roof and gutter system, masonry cleaning, conversion of the Curling Ice to multi-purpose ice, restoration of old locker rooms and addition of new locker rooms.

BGSU has Big Plans for Ice Arena

Ice Arena, Youth and Family

In the 1960’s BGSU planned to expand when the Board of Trustees approved the construction of a building that would “improve and advance the health and physical education program on campus.” This building opened in 1967 and is known as the BGSU Ice Arena.

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Since then, the BGSU Ice Arena has brought opportunity for both students and the community of Bowling Green. Whether it is ice skating, hockey, curling, or other physical education activities, the Ice Arena is home to many different recreational and competitive activities.

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Over the years the Ice Arena has undergone numerous renovations and expansions making it stand out from other arenas around the area. This year, BGSU has big plans to improve and expand facilities. The complete renovation includes:

  • New ice plant (including new compressors, chillers, dehumidification system(s) and boilers)
  • New lighting over the Main Ice (three times stronger than the current lighting)
  • New roof and gutter system
  • Masonry cleaning
  • Conversion of the Curling Ice to “multi-purpose” ice with boards, glass, and netting for hockey/skating while maintaining three curling lanes
  • Renovation of current locker rooms with benching, paint and skate tread
  • Addition of four new locker rooms on the footprint of the current Studio Ice

Director of the Ice Arena, Jeff Crawford, emphasized how beneficial these renovations are to BGSU. “These improvements make our facility viable and bring us, the BGSU Ice Arena, in line with other facilities in and around Ohio,” he said.

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The Ice Arena is a significant part of the Bowling Green community. It is home to many skating greats such as Scott Hamilton, Alissa Czisny, and Ken Morrow. The University eagerly anticipates this renovation and has high hopes of the new arena.

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The last day of operation for the 2009-2010 seasons is on March 28th. The Ice Arena is scheduled to reopen in late summer. For more information, or to contribute to the renovation click on the “Bring Back the Glory” tab on The Department of Recreation and Wellness Web Site.

Learn to Skate at BGSU Ice Arena

Ice Arena, Learn to Skate

In a community that is home to Olympic Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton, and 2009 U.S. Champion Alissa Czisny, why not provide a program structured to develop even more ice skating extraordinaires?

Recreation and Wellness’ Learn to Skate Program is starting their next session on February 21, 2010. The program is designed to promote physical fitness while enjoying a fun, safe skating experience. From skating basics to advance techniques, ages three to adult, the Learn to Skate program has accomplished instructors providing a lesson accommodating to everyone’s personal skill level.

Learn to Skate focuses intensively on engaging with students. Classes are organized by age, skill level, and the type of skating preferred by the student.  Whether it is hockey, figure skating, or recreational skating the program offers a variety of classes.

“For our younger skaters (ages 3-5) we use buckets. Our goal by the end of the session is to have them skating without the support of a bucket,” said Ice Arena Staff Assistant Laura Dunn.

The buckets are not the only technique the Learn to Skate Program utilizes. Marching in place, balancing activities, and use of bars are just a few of the many skill development tools.

Dunn emphasized the importance of fun and active learning. “The entire first half of the session is dedicated to games that develop skills. The second half focuses on instruction and how to fix the skills students are struggling with,” said Dunn.

Stephanie Wilson, who participated in the program when she was younger, has been a skating coach for three years. She explained how the program has a “family feel” and how keeping the groups small provides more attention, helping the children feel more comfortable.

“We like to use age appropriate activities such as the game Red Light-Green Light, obstacle courses, and stuffed animals for our younger learners,” said Wilson. Learn to Skate receives a lot of positive feedback for its ability to engage students in new, exciting ways.

The program is a six week session, once per week (either Sunday or Wednesday).  Each session is only 30 minutes long, but a small student to instructor ratio ensures each student receives the attention the need to improve.

Total costs consist of an annual $10 United States Figure Skating Basic Skills membership (including a skills packet, Achievement Certificates, and Badges) and a flat rate of $60, which includes skate rentals and a practice pass to public skating. More information about the Learn to Skate Program and other programs being offered through the Department of Recreation and Wellness can be found on the Web Site.

It is strongly recommended to register prior to the first day of class. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first serve basis until full, so don’t delay.  You could be the next Hamilton or Czisny!

RecWell Opportunities for Student Employment and Experience

Aquatics, Golf, Ice Arena, Intramural Sports, Learn to Swim, Outdoor Program, Perry Field House, Student Employee Programming, Student Recreation Center

Recreation and Wellness employs BGSU students in a variety of different areas creating career and leadership development opportunities. Available positions can be found at all of the department’s facilities, such as the Student Recreation Center (SRC), Ice Arena, and Forrest Creason Golf Course. Additionally, there are four different levels of positions. A position’s level reflects its responsibilities, any required experience or certification, and salary.

Morgan Montgomery is an Intramural Student Supervisor with Recreation and Wellness, and has been for nearly one year. He has been with the department for a total of two and a half years, beginning as an official for Intramural Sports.

“It’s been great. There is camaraderie, our staff is close,” said Montgomery. “For a job like this in school, you can’t beat it.”

Employment at Recreation and Wellness contributes to the professional development of students and supplements classroom learning with real life experience.

“My job has prepared me for managing and directing people,” stated Montgomery, a construction management major. “Not everyone gets that, dealing with people and having a staff. The management of people will help.”

Considering his experiences working for Recreation and Wellness’ Intramural Sports Program, Montgomery recommends student employment with the department.

“I can’t think of another job on campus where you meet the people you meet here, enjoy your job, and get to be around athletics,” said Montgomery.

As Intramural Supervisor, Montgomery is responsible for on-site supervision, inspection of facilities and equipment, and evaluation of scorekeepers and officials amongst other duties. Other supervisory roles, such as the Perry Field House Supervisor, share similar responsibilities. Both positions are categorized at level four.

In order for a student to work his or her way up to positions in levels two through four, entry into a level one position is encouraged. These positions, such as Climbing Wall Attendant and Golf Course Maintenance Attendant, allow the student employee to become familiar with a specific aspect of Recreation and Wellness. The Climbing Wall Attendant is responsible for customer service and maintaining climbing wall safety, while the Golf Course Maintenance Attendant’s duties include mowing the greens, tees, fairways and roughs.

After spending time working in level one positions, student employees have the chance to move up to positions with more responsibilities and higher pay. SRC Pro Shop Manager and Zamboni Room Associate are examples of level two positions. The SRC Pro Shop Manager supervises the Pro Shop Attendants, completes shift sales reports, and does periodic inspections of facilities and equipment. Duties required of the Zamboni Room Associate include training of the Zamboni Room staff and setting up the ice for games.

Certain positions may require outside certification. The Learn-to-Swim Instructor position requires an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Certification. While this position is at level three, its unique certification does not require applicants to have a prior work history with Recreation and Wellness at a level one or two position. Many of the other positions in the department require First Aid and CPR certification.

For more information on positions available and contact information, please visit the Recreation and Wellness Student Employment Web site.

BGSU Helps Community Learn to Skate, Swim

Aquatics, Ice Arena, Learn to Skate, Learn to Swim

Recreation and Wellness’ Learn to Skate and Learn to Swim programs provide the Bowling Green community with the ability to learn valuable recreation and exercise skills. Group skating and swimming lessons at BGSU are available for individuals of varying ages and skill sets.

The Learn to Skate program offers eight different types of classes for individuals of various ages and experience levels. Participants’ age can range from three-year-olds to adults. Those enrolling in the classes can expect to learn the basic skills of skating from instructors with a highly proficient level of skating experience.

“A comprehensive base of figure skating or skating skills will be learned,” stated Ice Arena Staff Assistant Laura Dunn. “When someone signs up they receive practice time and a punch card to use during public skate.”

Dunn stressed the skills taught are done so in an engaging manner.

“We have fun,” Dunn noted. “We teach our skills through games and props. We try to not just teach skills, but make them fun.”

In addition to options based on age and experience, classes can vary depending on the style of skating the participant wants to learn. Classes focusing on recreational skating, figure skating, and hockey are available.

“Skating can be a lifelong sport,” said Dunn. “It’s a fun activity to do at all ages. We like to teach everyone the basic skills. Skating can help teach determination, time management, and practice skills.”

Classes are grouped into six week sessions with classes occurring once a week on either Sundays or Mondays and are held at the Ice Arena. Learn to Skate’s “Fall Session 2” starts Sunday, November 1 and Wednesday, November 4. After “Fall Session 2,” the next session will start up after the holidays on Sunday, January 10. Cost of the lessons is $60 plus a one-time per year (July 1 through June 30) $10 United States Figure Skating registration fee. Please visit the Learn to Skate Web site for more information.

In addition to the Learn to Skate program, BGSU also offers a Learn to Swim program. The swimming lessons are available to anyone ages six months through adult and are taught by certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors. Class size ranges from four to six participants. Classes are held at the Student Recreation Center (SRC) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The second Fall session begins on Tuesday, November 3. These small group lessons cost $75 for SRC members and $82.50 for non-members. Private and semi-private lessons are also available by appointment. Cost for private and semi-private lessons varies by lesson length. For more information, please visit the Learn to Swim Web site.