Cooling off the court

Those long, grueling, hot summers that Eastern Washington has will be getting a lot cooler.

Jamie Gwinn, rec center manager, proposed last November to keep the ice rink for the summer instead of installing the basketball courts. Her proposal was approved Monday. Gwinn believes having a nice, cool atmosphere as an option for recreation will be huge for the rec center.

“It can get pretty hot here during the summers, getting to 100 plus without blinking an eye,” he said. “Having [the ice] for the people that want to get out of the heat will be a great opportunity.”

The ice will replace the basketball courts that were installed last summer but didn’t generate much revenue. Keeping the ice for the summer will give EWU a chance to compare the financial benefits of both options, ultimately deciding which is better for revenue during summer months.

“After spring term is over, the number of students on campus [decreases],” said David Early, director of recreation facilities. “The ice sheet has more attraction to the community. It’s a nice, cold place to go on a hot day. It’s something different to do.”

Two councils, the URC Advisory Committee and the URC Governance Board, made the final decision to put the ice in the week after graduation. Gwinn is happy with the result, but is a little disappointed with the timing.

“In a perfect world, [the ice] would be a neat aspect to have during commencement,” said Gwinn. “Thousands of people come onto campus only once, just for commencement.”
From a revenue standpoint, the potential to bolster income is high. The rink staying open all summer provides an opportunity for EWU to host hockey camps for young players as well as let figure skaters purchase practice time.

EWU will be one of two ice rinks open during summer months in the surrounding area. The Riverfront Park ice rink closes along with one of the two other rinks in Spokane. There is no rink in Coeur d’Alene or Post Falls, Idaho.

“During the summer time, we have a lot of tours and Eagle previews. The ice rink is just a fascinating amenity. It’s not very common around this area, so it’s nice for people just to come check it out and see what is all about,” Gwinn said.

Another possible source of revenue and attention might come from the Spokane Chiefs hockey team. This past year, they came out to EWU’s ice rink to practice a few times, and it’s not all they want to do.

“They’re entertaining the notion of holding their exhibition game out here,” Gwinn said.
Gwinn has talked to students, faculty and outside users not affiliated with EWU, and everyone he has spoken with has a positive stance regarding the idea. Without their approval, Gwinn would have likely stopped pushing the proposal, he said.

“The students are who I serve first. I want to give them what they want,” said Gwinn. “If the students didn’t want the ice, I wouldn’t have pushed it.”

EWU students who will not be enrolled in summer courses will still be able to use all the rec center’s facilities if they pay the one-time fee of $45, which will last the entire summer; it is regularly $60 a quarter.

The ice should give students, faculty and the community a perfect way to cool down this summer.

“If nothing else, I think [the ice] will give us a different perspective. Ice and basketball courts are two very different cultures,” Gwinn said.

“I think [the summer rink] is a good thing to do. It’s good for the community,” Early said.