I don’t care which city does it, but Reno or Sparks must open an ice arena, period. And I suppose hockey’s the big moneymaker, just ask San Jose about the Sharks they brought in nearly two decades ago… but figure skating in Reno has a real leg up, and most people who live here have no idea!
Rudy Galindo and his trainer-sister both live here, in Reno, NV. Rudy is a world bronze medalist and a favorite of Champions on Ice, and his sister, Laura Black, coached him to international levels. I’ve seen Rudy skate professionally at $75 per ticket, and I’ve seen him casually on the ice in Sparks, skating with his niece and nephew, helping the adult skaters practicing that day.
Though both started out in San Jose, they now live here in Reno. They currently train a handful of serious, young USFSA skating competitors who are forced to commute to South Lake Tahoe every morning at 4:00 am to train, since the only year-round rink in Sparks, Total Sports, closed a couple of years ago.
It’s a crime that these kids, whom you see perform every year at the downtown rink opening ceremony, have to make so many sacrifices to do what they love… skate beautifully on a well groomed piece of ice, 1.5 hours of driving time away.
I am a super-amateur figure skater who discovered the sport late in life. I came from a Bay Area rink where the skaters weren’t nearly so sophisticated as what you have in this region and don’t even know it. You have so much talent right here in Northern Nevada… you must build a rink. We have an absolute hero in our midst.
If we were smart, we would leverage our own local talent.
NVMojo
I agree!!
Tom
Sorry Guys, I have to disagree, although an ice rink would be fun to see in use.
An ice skating event center might be great for local families and a nice amenity for the area, but whether it is a worthy priority depends upon the objective of such a project. If the objective, as suggested by the brainstorming campaign of the visitors authority, is to fill hotel rooms and create casino and restaurant business in slow months, I doubt an ice arena will prove out. It would be enjoyed by locals, but they are already present in the area, you don’t need to bring them in.
To help the downtown region and the area in general, economically speaking, it is important to bring visitors into town in slow periods, to spend money at restaurants, hotels, casinos, car rental agencies and on airline fares. Ice skating events? It takes a BIG population base to support a hockey team, and other than that, what economic value would this have?
In prior years, Nevada resort operators known to me have tried tennis stadiums, and equestrian event facilities, with limited success and great cost. The problem is the tennis people would play tennis, sit around and drink white wine and talk, but they weren’t gamblers. The horsey people did their barrel racing, then were out of sight. Both groups favored low-end motels or motor home camping plus fast food, and generally passed on gaming. Hardly worth spending large sums enticing those groups to visit the area. I suspect ice skaters and their related tournaments might be a similar experience.
If downtown gaming hotels will survive over the next ten years, facing expanding gaming everywhere and upscale Indian casinos in Placerville and other handier places for California visitors, it is necessary to help those businesses through the slow months. Why care if they survive? Because the region’s economy is still heavily tied to visitors to those resorts. A bunch of semi-empty, for-sale hotels downtown is the last thing Reno needs.
Here are some concepts that would attract hotel guests whose demographics include people who would be more inclined to stay and play at the hotels:
1 “Battle of the Bands” competition, in categories, invitations to the many small groups in the western states which have large email lists of followers.
2. “Special Interest” group shows, such as off-road group jamboree events, with exhibitors, invite all the 4×4 clubs in the western states, and give them some discount buffet tickets.
3. I don’t see enough professional trade group shows sending us mailers for events in Reno. MCLE event sponsors with package deals are constantly mailing us from Las Vegas, why not Reno?
I realize this is getting off-subject; but it is important to the region to help the historical, economic mainstays to survive.
Faust
Absolutely. I’ve watched the SJ area adopt the Sharks and love to go to the games when possible. The thing is, bringing Hockey to Reno (again) would need to be a real (funded) effort, not just a thrown together ice rink in the convention center and cheese ball advertising. I had Reno Renegade season tickets, but… /sigh
Not to mention… didn’t someone say that the Reno/Tahoe area was trying to be a candidate for a forthcoming winter Olympics? Obviously that’s a long time out, but you’d think we’d look a little more serious if we had a professional ice rink.
Faust
I dunno, Tom. You’re right in that we don’t have the population or big $$ to support a professional NHL team but I have to say that Silicon Valley’s favorite sport is Hockey due to The Sharks.
I think it would help attract more young professionals and high tech. Having worked in High Tech for a long while now, I find going to a Sharks game is like going to a Who’s Who in High Tech. In fact, we used to send our Execs to games with the specific objective of bumping into competitor’s employees to try to get a little inside information about NAND Flash prices or the current credit load on Asian wafer manufacturers (etc).
My understanding is that Gaming’s focus is waining in Reno and we’re working toward bringing the high paying California based industries to Reno. Telling young professionals that we’ve got a baseball stadium, a hockey stadium, a high quality of life, and a progressive approach toward business sounds better than low wage tourist who like free beer and nickel slots. From that perspective, I’m for Hockey. (and, of course I just like Hockey)
Bob
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071027/BIZ/710270319/1071
smarten
Reno should do what California does.
Create an ice rink improvement district. Appoint a Board which determines ice rinks confer unique benefits to real properties within their geographic boundaries. Adopt a resolution which proposes assessing all properties within the district to fund construction and operation of an ice rink. Notice a public hearing where protests can be filed by affected persons. Unless 50.1% of all property owners within the district protest in writing, the assessment is confirmed. Then every local property owner can support the rink with his/her/its increased property taxes and we don’t have to worry about a mega population base for support.
And while I have your attention, we use the same financing technique to fund essentially every type of program [transit districts, airports, sports authorities, mosquito abatement (are there mosquitoes in Reno?), libraries, etc.] which arguably benefits the public!
Believe me; it’s coming to a general improvement district near you. In fact, it has already come to Incline Village [beaches, golf courses, ski areas, a recreational center]!
BanteringBear
I agree that Reno should have an ice rink. The problem is, there have already been two or three which couldn’t make any money and were forced to close their doors. Who’s to say that wouldn’t happen again?
IMO, in order for it to work, there would have to be numerous commitments in place for youth ice hockey leagues, figure skating, public free skates, etc. The rink would need to be utilized full time.
I think it would be a wonderful step in the right direction for a mountain city which has already produced an abundance of talent in the winter sports arena. As a youth growing up in Reno, I was always disappointed I couldn’t play ice hockey. Such is life.
Walter Hosebeast
Class of 2000 @ Ithaca High School – that you Derrick?
http://www.ithacahighalumni.com/member_profile.php?person=322&sid=aoijge3q0nerosknhs6fh9rm07
The peculiar style in which you capitalize your last name certainly looks familiar. If this is you, you are what – 25 years old? Quite the old sage in the real estate business for sure.
Move to Reno?
Keep property taxes low. The best bet for an ice rink would be for one to be part of a mega-resort casino where it could be part of a money making operation. Perhaps the local high schools, colleges could then use it for a new ice hockey program.
NAS
Ice Hockey is big in So. CA. We have some large, free standing arenas attracting both professional and amateur teams. These are mega financial machines with a huge infrastructure of support.
On a local level, we have communities with “rinks” within an attached shopping/mall/movie complex and they work great. Open seating, restaurants, viewing areas make the smaller rinks an added value to the area.
Now that you mention it, I’m surprised there isn’t something like this in the Reno area. Think of all the young hockey and aspiring olympiads waiting for the opportunity!
Also, is there a farm team/B baseball team in northern NV?
MikeZ
RE: “Class of 2000 @ Ithaca High School – that you Derrick?”
“Occupation: Adm Asst” – translation: secretary. That’s our millionaire!
DERRICK
Sorry keep trying mike. Class of 2000? sorry not me … lmao
zac lampson
i have been in and out of this area for years- i have left everytime due to no ice rink. i now work in the ice industry. i have seen the rinks here all fail due to management. i travel all over California and the rest of the country- the rinks that are successful all have one thing in common- a great public skating crowd. hockey and figure skating are a small part of the puzzle. Reno has a young and loyal hockey following that has to travel to Roseville and the Bay Area. i am happy to offer any insight to those that may have concerns or reservations about bringing in an ice rink. every premier community in the country has an ice rink- get with the times Reno!
Mike
Reno or Sparks better build an ice rink soon, or I’m moving. I have been here 2 years already and haven’t been able to play consistently since the closest rink is an hour away in So. Lake Tahoe!
Gary Pelka
I am willing to pay right now for 3 season tickets to a Reno/Sparks ECHL hockey team. Google on “ECHL Hockey” to get info on the league. It is a AA pro-hockey league which frequently sends players upward into the NHL.
I listed (below) the city/team names so you can see that most are cities the size of Reno/Sparks.
Las Vegas Wranglers, Fresno Falcons, Stockton Thunder, Bakersfield Condors, Victoria Salmon Kings, Idaho Steelheads, Utah Grizzlies, Alaska Aces, Phoenix RoadRunners
We moved down here from Anchorage, Alaska, where the “ACES” play. I’m semi-retired and work half time in Anchorage so I attend the ACES games when possible. The ACES games and opposing teams are highly competitive, with quality players. Fights are frequent and the fans are loyal and raucus (beer is served on one side of the arena (capacity 6,500) which is usually packed. A base of local loyal support plus room for tourist/visitor attendance is ideal. A medium sized arena (6,000 to 10,000) is ideal. The arena needs to be multi-purpose to support arena football/soccer/basketball.
Don’t think major league (NHL/NBA) for Reno/Sparks as there is just not the a large local and tourist base in the winter. Reno/Sparks has a nitch like Anchorage – don’t spoil it.
I’d like to see a multi-purpose arena in the Legends complex in Sparks with easy access from I-80 and the airport. It is a good fit and development space is available. Reno has the minor league field under construction.
As long as the ECHL is playing in an arena in Reno/Sparks we’ll sign-up for season tickets.
P/S
(I believe there is person in the Reno/Sparks area who has the rights to a ECHL team franchise and just needs an arena to set up shop.)
Marshall Stevenson
You are correct! Larry Leasure, of White-Leasure development out of Boise Idaho owns the Reno Franchise of the ECHL. Hockey would be wonderful for Reno, but it has to be done right! The Professional end of the program is the catalyst which will drive the kids programs back into existence.
If you look at Boise, Larry built an arena and a connected Hotel in Downtown, known then as The Bank of America Center at The Grove. It’s an awesome product which then drove the need for additional ice for practice, as well as kids leagues. Then 2 sheets of ice were constructed at the failing Factory Outlet Center, and it completely transformed the factory outlets to becoming profitable, and the kids are doing leagues, and skating parties,etc.. It’s a win win situation.
Reno needs Larry, and he’s actually been in business here since 1988 with Paul Revere and Dick Clark doing clubs, restaurants and catering.
Keep your eyes open and your fingers crossed…it just might happen quicker than you think!
C. Thompson
A multi-use arena complex that supports Hockey/Figure skating and other ice sports, and also supports AFL-Arena Football Team. Get the right heads together, its a no-brainer for this area.
Meghan
You know, I would love an ice rink here. I am also a professional figure skater, that trains in San Jose too. I am top 10 in Young Internationals. I have so many people here in Reno asking for lessons, although we do not have the place to train. I moved to Reno 4 months ago, from Connecticut. My coach there was Vladimir Petrenko, and in San Jose Julie Lowndes, Charlie Tickner, and Peter Sasmore.
This would a great opportunity for Reno’s Cassino’s. The arena would be bringing in the family, and a resort like atmosphere. We could have Hockey games, and competitions. Las Vegas has amazing training center, why cant we. Those skaters are also very competitive in the skating world. We could have guest ice skating stairs come in, and we could put on shows. I have many connections, I can get the big name skaters from all around the world to come do shows, or clinics. I have connections to fully licensed entertainment booking agency, which could run the event smoothly.
I believe an Ice Rink in Reno/Sparks would be very enriching to Reno/Sparks.
Thank you,
Meghan
gary
We need a rink bad! It would be a huge bonus for the community.
Most rinks have a very high volunteer rate and we could make it viable.
Mike Selby
The fact that a community of almost a half a million people does not have an ice rink in what has been sold to the nation as “The Adventure Place” is a sad commentary on Reno and Sparks city governments. This dry and cold fall has afforded us the opportunity to build and maintain a pond hockey rink with boards, goals and lights on a local pond. We have had up to 3 games a week with lots of other skating as well. With a potluck around the bonfire the recreational experience has been wonderful for all ages. One can make the argument that “we’ve tried that and it doesn’t work” but that is comparing apples to oranges. As Reno-Sparks attracts more non natives from other states, the interest in a full time ice arena grows in leaps and bounds. The rinks that have been started in the area were also plagued by poor advertising and less than perfect management. Looking to the success of a small town like South Lake Tahoe in attracting enough users to make a full size rink viable, it shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to operate a viable rink to the almost half a million people in the Reno-Sparks area not mentioning all the interest in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee.
Although there will be many detractors just like there was against the White Water Park in downtown Reno, we visionary folks must come together and help our city governments and other involved in our community who have the ways and means to bring a rink to Reno to do so. There are many examples of Federal grants for ice and pools that Reno-Sparks could pursue and you can’t tell me that plunking a monster size sports complex downtown with pool and ice won’t bring people downtown. In fact, thats the key to Vegas type entertainment…. have something for EVERYONE, not just the smoking gambling tribe.
I would be happy to assist in the organization end of it if anybody out there is interested in pursuing this further. We NEED junior hockey, adult hockey, figure skating and ice dancing. A minor league franchise is dependent on interest. I say…. Build It and They Will Come.
Michael Selby
Perrin Sprecace
I agree with Michael. Even if the “We’ve tried that and it doesn’t work” excuse was valid at one time, that was long ago.
The Reno region is on the cusp of an economic and cultural renaissance. This can easily support everything that a year-round ice activity center offers residents and visitors alike. While there is always some validity to questioning the “If you build it, they will come” notion, even a sampling of the comments above shows that this region has a considerable number of people who would be very interested (if not outright committed) to an ice arena if it were built.
Just look at the numbers: Reno circulates about $6 BILLION each year in aggregate household income. It’s not a stretch for about .025% of that to run through an ice activity center.