GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT // REPORTS FROM THE WARM ROOM


Transitioning to dedicated ice: Lessons learned


By Kim Nawyn, Director of Growth & Development, kim.nawyn@usacurl.org


throughout the nation, these facilities range from two to eight sheets. While some were built from the ground up, a growing number of clubs are repurposing existing spaces as a lower cost alternative. Below are highlights of lessons learned about planning and building from curl- ers at the Charlotte, Denver, Evergreen, Fort Wayne, Kalamazoo, and Triangle curling clubs. Location


F While meeting with an attorney about zoning


questions, the Evergreen Curling Club received some useful advice – research local municipali- ties to determine which will be friendliest to converting an existing structure to a curling club. By choosing a city that was already home to multiple sports facilities in industrial-zoned buildings, the club saved time and money by avoiding a potential land-use battle. For clubs building from the ground up, Triangle recom- mends engaging a geo-engineer to determine if the sub-soil is suitable for building prior to pur- chasing the land.


Requirements Te Triangle Curling Club also highlighted


the importance of gathering a complete list of building requirements and fees from the local municipality. “Tere were a lot of extra costs for frontage fees, sewer and water facility charges, construction impact fees, water retention pond fees, etc. that had not been planned for.” Esti- mating about 10 percent cost overruns and en- suring the funds are available if needed will al- low the club to be financially prepared for the unexpected.


Contractors Te Denver Curing Club emphasized the


importance of selecting a general contractor with experience installing ice sheets early in the process. A good general contractor will explain construction options and alternative materials, which will help keep costs in check. Members of the the Fort Wayne Curling Club (FWCC), a


6 )) usacurl.org


iſteen dedicated curling facilities have opened their doors in the United States since the 2011-12 season. Located


three-sheet conversion project, stressed the need for the club to watch the progress of contractors closely. FWCC contractors installed the same wall in the wrong place twice. Systems


Learning from their recent experience with


a four-sheet build, Denver encouraged careful consideration of utility placement. Long pipe and conduit runs from street connections can increase construction costs. Locating the kitch- en, restrooms, mechanical and electrical rooms close together is one way to shorten runs. Evergreen avoided a potentially large cost


overrun with their HVAC system. Trough the assistance of a curler and HVAC engineer from the Milwaukee Curling Club, ECC was able to convince the municipality that air flow stan- dards for an aerobic club, rather than an arena, were appropriate for the curling facility. Te club was ultimately able to install an HVAC system with 75 percent less airflow than the city asked for and half of what the club’s engineer originally estimated.


Efficiency Steve McKee, president of the Charlotte Curl-


ing Club, noted the club should have paid more attention to the vapor barrier where the wall meets the roof to prevent warm air from getting in. He encourages clubs to “be fastidious about this aspect.” Similarly, FWCC cautions others to do whatever it takes to seal the containment area around the ice if using a liner over a sand base. Craig Fischer noted, “Despite what anyone might tell you, liners will get punctures. Water will leak. Take all steps that you can think of to mitigate a leak when you can.” Equipment


Installing an ice pad area for their scraper


was one decision the Charlotte Curling Club was very happy with. If they could do it over again, the members of FWCC would have included a chilled pad for their scraper in the original de- sign. Fischer noted, “Scrapers work best when the blade is chilled. If you plan for this at the start, you will make your ice team very happy.” Understanding the ambient temperature op-


erating ranges of equipment is also important. FWCC learned that their chiller’s ambient tem-


p e r at u re range was 0-120 degrees F when they had three days of -20 degrees F temperatures aſter they put in their first ice and it started to melt. Tey also found the humidifier did not operate above 70 degrees F when they tried to use it during summer months to combat moisture. Relationships


Te Kalamazoo Curling Club recently tran-


sitioned from shared ice to curling-only ice at the Wings Stadium. Te club credits the ar- rangement, in part, to the strong “partnership” between the club and the arena during the pe- riod they rented mixed-use ice. KCC strived to be seen as an asset, not a nuisance group. Strong relationships with the arena opened the door for management to listen to the club’s proposal for leasing an ice pad for curling use only. Next steps


Even with the best laid plans, transitioning to


dedicated ice brings challenges. As part of the U.S. Curling Association, a new Dedicated Ice Transition Committee, chaired by Craig Fischer of Fort Wayne, is currently forming with the in- tention of helping clubs with this process in the future. In addition to developing an information depository, the group will answer questions and eventually conduct webinars on various topics of interest to clubs. Contact Craig with questions at Craig@fortwaynecurling.com. Q


Save the dates WCF Coach Mentor Program


Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Fla. Feb. 12-14, 2016


Business of Curling Symposium


Milwaukee Curling Club, Cedarburg, Wis. June 4-5, 2016


Midwest Summer Junior Curling Camp South Wood County Recreation Center, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. July 12-15, 2016


USA Curling Members’ Assembly (2016) Coyotes Curling Club, Tempe, Ariz.


Hilton Phoenix Airport Hotel, Phoenix, Ariz. Oct. 13-16, 2016


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