River’s Edge ice facility expands community programming, refines Learn-to-Skate

River’s Edge ice-facility staff told the advisory board on April 16 that the facility is prioritizing community-focused programming and operational efficiency while expanding special events.

"I oversee the River's Edge as the ice facilities supervisor for the department," said Ryan Dublin, who detailed youth and adult hockey, figure-skating events and public-skate schedules. River’s Edge hosted the hockey portion of the Iowa Games this year for the first time and ran Victory Skate, an annual figure-skating competition, which brought 132 skaters — up about 30% from the prior year.

Ryan said staff trimmed the total number of Learn-to-Skate classes to consolidate participants and improve instructor utilization. "We're offering less classes this year... that allows us to create some efficiencies, better utilize our instructors and operate more with full classes," he said. He also described a plan to include Learn-to-Skate USA registration in program pricing and perform bulk registrations with the national body to remove a customer friction point.

Ryan highlighted community-focused special events such as glow skates and holiday sessions — a New Year’s glow skate attracted 255 skaters — and said the department is preparing themed sessions and new birthday-party packages to attract groups such as schools and scouts.

Staffing improvements were also noted: updated pay rates helped fill seasonal positions and the department added a part-time assistant ice facility supervisor who will focus on community programming and customer experience.

Board members asked about skate programming and practice groups; Ryan said tournaments focus on recreational participants and that department efforts are aimed at building a stable customer base for public sessions.

The board requested follow-up details on registration trends and on the bulk-registration plan with Learn-to-Skate USA.