Bowie Ice arena re-opening; Tucker Rd Ice Rink

[Query]

Glad they had 4 public sessions today. They were closed for the first 3 today, replacing the motor that had failed in the dehumidifier. It was replaced before 11:00, but they said they had to work on the ice and dry out the rink.

They hope to be open in time for the 4:30 public session. (Good thing this is one of the days with 4 public sessions. But I went this morning without checking. A smarter person then me would have realized that they might close.)

Another skater told me that Tucker Rd is closed due to dehumidifier problems too. She speculated that the hot summer we have been having puts a lot of strain on dehumidifers. That makes sense - probably on air conditioners, ice chillers and freezers too.

Tucker Rd's web site says

Due to maintenance, Tucker Rd Ice Rink will be closed Aug 18 - Sep 4.

Wow. Long closure.

I wonder if any other rinks are closed due to similar problems. I won't introduce politics by talking about global warming, but it's possible  2024 will have been the hottest summer on record.

[Query]

Different staff members gave me different answers to questions about the dehumidifier issues. One told me the new motor wasn't actually fully installed until 2 PM on Thursday, rather than 11:00 AM I cited before.

One told me that the largest ice stalagmite was about 2" tall, maybe 6" wide. The figure skating director showed me a picture, but she said she wouldn't post it. (I guess it wouldn't be the best rink advertisement. )

They used a grinding tool to get rid of the worst of them, rather than the Zamboni, for fear of breaking the Zamboni blade.

The initial sessions still had noticeable discolored bumps and indentations left, and the ice wasn't as shiny as usual, but by Friday, most of that was gone, though you can still see the discolored spots under the new ice layers. On Friday, the rink was still a bit humid, and they were taking down the penants, because the water was dripping from them, and the mold and mildew on them was possibly damaging the penants. The lowest wooden frame pieces in the roof. In the long term that might cause rot, but the rink manager says they will soon be re-inspected to make sure they are safe - I doubt there could be significant safety problems yet. (In fact they check them every year.) (The steel pipes in the ceiling also got wet.)

So they are basically good to go.

The manager says the facebook page is updated more rapidly than the web page.

[Query]

I've reviewed this rink before. This is my favorite, because they try to maintain the ice well, & have a lot of cheap public sessions (and you can join for the season), many of which are not busy. I moved to be within a few miles of the rink.

Also a few freestyle ("pickup figure") and hockey stick & puck sessions, also not very busy. And hockey games.

On Thursday, they held the "parents meeting" for the ISI team, which runs ISI (recreational) tests, competitions, shows, and has Synchro and Production teams. The Club members can also skate club sessions, possibly including one evening and one Saturday session. They will have another meeting in late September, when people can join, for about $40/year.

For skaters who compete in USFS, they also have a USFS club. USFS tends to be more seriously competitive, all the way up to qualifying for ISU Worlds and the Olympics. (But the highest level area skaters and their coaches usually skate in Wealthier areas than Bowie.)

Bowie allows private guest coaches on freestyle sessions. But to teach on Bowie public sessions, you have to teach group lessons at Bowie, and agree not to coach a Synchro or Production team at another rink.

The pro shop people are said to be reasonably competent, if you aren't super picky. Far more competent than the average rink pro shop.