Gummer12 134 Report post Posted August 27, 2008 I thought I saw someone on here say they skate in Jackson Optimist Ice Arena. I have some family in Jackson, and I currently work in a rink in Northern Michigan, but due to some uncontrollable and ridiculous circumstances, I MIGHT be looking for a job come November or January. So in thinking of other rinks to work at...JXN came to mind. Any info someone can give me on how they run things there, and just some good background info before I email or call the rink for more info. I've skated there a few times, so I'm Somewhat familiar with the layout and stuff...but things like how many employees, what kind of emps (FT/PT), County, City, private, etc....Men's league info...any High School or higher teams? just stuff like that.Thanks in advance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ronnychencharik 0 Report post Posted August 27, 2008 There are two ice surfaces, a newer one that is open all year and the old ice. Newer rink is open all year, while the old rink is melted sometime around May. There are really 2, maybe 3 guys that work there. Joe is the Zamboni driver, sharpens skates the best, does the SRS, etc. The rink managers name is Dave, he runs the rest of the show, like youth and beer leagues, and the money things.There are also 3-4 that help Joe, and another group of ~12 people you see doing office stuff. Oh, and the snack shop people.The hockey is okay, I cant really comment on the beer leagues because I have never played anywhere else. But the best teams playing on Sunday are kind of weak. There are 2 high school teams, Lumen Christi is usually top 3 in the high school league, while Jackson High is more if a Florida Panthers sort of team. (no offense). There are also 2 D3 college club teams, Albion College and JCC which is my team.All in all I like the rink.http://www.optimisticearena.com/If you have any other questions, I can probably help you out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gummer12 134 Report post Posted August 27, 2008 Yeah, I've been there a couple times will visiting my sister, so I know the layout and such. I'm more interested in the inner workings, the staff, who runs/operates it, just some basic info for possibly looking for a job there. Are the secondary staff all volunteer based, like with the optimist club, or are they all paid employees of the rink? If paid, what involvement does the optimist club incorporate? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ronnychencharik 0 Report post Posted August 28, 2008 There are really 2, maybe 3 guys that work there. Joe is the Zamboni driver, sharpens skates the best, does the SRS, etc. The rink managers name is Dave, he runs the rest of the show, like youth and beer leagues, and the money things.There are also 3-4 that help Joe, and another group of ~12 people you see doing office stuff. Oh, and the snack shop people.Dave Templin is the guy that you would want to talk to about all of the job opportunities in the front office. If you are looking for more of a zamboni guy type of job you need to contact Joe. I will be there today at 3:00 for practice and I will try and find something out for you. But my best quess is that 90% of the people there are paid employees.edit: Joe informed me today that people who work there are paid empleyees. However, there are no openings in the front office. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gummer12 134 Report post Posted August 29, 2008 Thanks for all your work, just one more thing, who owns/operates the rink? Is it a Private owned, or County or city funded? And what role does the Optimist club play. They just youth oriented? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ronnychencharik 0 Report post Posted August 29, 2008 To the best of my knowledge Optimist Club just owns the rink. Dave Templin is the rink operator. If you get the job let me know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gummer12 134 Report post Posted August 29, 2008 Well things are looking a little less bleak up here...I made the final cut for the Final 5 for the MGR job here at my rink...Now the politics becomes involved. I'm just looking at my options if I don't Get it....and the powers that be get their way and for some ungodforsaken reason shut the rink down. I also remember not seeing a Pro Shop in the rink? Where do you go for your gear? Don't tell me you have to go all the way to Ann Arbor to Peranis. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ronnychencharik 0 Report post Posted August 30, 2008 I buy most of my stuff in Chelsea and the only reason is because it's closest store to me. I was fitted for skates there and ended up in a wide 9K that still dont have enough volume, so I dont know if i'll be buying skates there again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JR Boucicaut 3801 Report post Posted August 30, 2008 I buy most of my stuff in Chelsea and the only reason is because it's closest store to me. I was fitted for skates there and ended up in a wide 9K that still dont have enough volume, so I dont know if i'll be buying skates there again.At Summit? Sounds about right. Yeah, I said it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrhky36 1 Report post Posted August 30, 2008 I buy most of my stuff in Chelsea and the only reason is because it's closest store to me. I was fitted for skates there and ended up in a wide 9K that still dont have enough volume, so I dont know if i'll be buying skates there again.At Summit? Sounds about right. Yeah, I said it.i didn't know steve had a store out there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gummer12 134 Report post Posted August 30, 2008 I buy most of my stuff in Chelsea and the only reason is because it's closest store to me. I was fitted for skates there and ended up in a wide 9K that still dont have enough volume, so I dont know if i'll be buying skates there again.You didn't bring a Pencil :P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ronnychencharik 0 Report post Posted August 30, 2008 Didnt know about the pencil test back then, and Wex I never wished you luck with your Final 5 job situation. I hope you end up where you want to be, because Jackson sucks hard and long.At Summit? Sounds about right. Yeah, I said it.Whatever pro shop is at the Arctic Coliseum. Not sure what I'm going to do next time I need skates. Guess I could Greyhound it to Marietta and beg for help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JR Boucicaut 3801 Report post Posted August 31, 2008 Summit/HockeyDeals is in that rink.Depending on when you bought your skates, the store manager either had been playing hockey for a year and a half or doesn't play hockey at all. The current guy doesn't play at all. Neither of them have any formal training in equipment because Summit wouldn't pay me to train them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gummer12 134 Report post Posted August 31, 2008 because Jackson sucks hard and long.Care to elaborate? Is the Optimist Board a bitch to deal with? or the Management? Refs? Shitty players? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ronnychencharik 0 Report post Posted September 2, 2008 Summit/HockeyDeals is in that rink.Depending on when you bought your skates, the store manager either had been playing hockey for a year and a half or doesn't play hockey at all. The current guy doesn't play at all. Neither of them have any formal training in equipment because Summit wouldn't pay me to train them.A little more than a year ago. I dont want to be a jerk but the inly thing I remember about him is his lazy eye.because Jackson sucks hard and long.Care to elaborate? Is the Optimist Board a bitch to deal with? or the Management? Refs? Shitty players?The skill level is definitely not there compared to Lansing or Grand Rapids, and there isn't a whole lot to do socially. Also, a couple of refs have ego problems as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gummer12 134 Report post Posted September 2, 2008 Sounds like they need someone to turn the ship around :P Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JR Boucicaut 3801 Report post Posted September 2, 2008 Haha I know EXACTLY who you are talking about. He's the one who has been playing for a year and a half. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ronnychencharik 0 Report post Posted September 2, 2008 Do you know any of the hired help that they have/had working there? I know a couple of guys that work there seasonally. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JR Boucicaut 3801 Report post Posted September 2, 2008 yes, pm if youd like Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
