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Skaters, coaches and club leaders urge Everett to review rink operator practices
Summary
Several Everett Figure Skating Club members and families told the City Council that decisions by Oak View Group, the rink operator, have disrupted programming and threatened the nonprofit’s ability to serve youth athletes; the club asked city and EPFD oversight and the council said staff would follow up.
Members and leaders of the Everett Figure Skating Club told the Everett City Council on June 17 that decisions by the rink operator, Oak View Group (OVG), have jeopardized the nonprofit’s programming, coaches and financial stability.
"Everett Figure Skating Club has raised concerns about Oak View Group or OVG and its treatment of coaches, contract language, and written communications tied coaches ability to offer private lessons at the rink to participation in rink operated programming," said Dustin Graves, who identified himself as a board member of the Everett Figure Skating Club. He said the club repeatedly sought clarity from the Everett Public Facilities District (EPFD) — the public oversight body for the rink — but was redirected to the operator and its legal counsel.
Club president Dottie Medallia, who said she is a US Figure Skating official and identified her long involvement in the sport, described a multi‑year history of rebuilding the club after COVID and said the club grew programming from roughly 80 skaters to sustained sessions bringing in substantially more revenue. Medallia said the club encountered what she described as threats and restrictions when it tried to seek EPFD review and to renew its contract: "If you go to the PDF board, you will have consequences...and that's exactly what happened," she said, asking the council to "change the leadership where we can be protected at the club."
A young skater, Reese, said the uncertainty already cost her longtime coach and may force families to split training between Everett and other rinks. "I hope the city understands that what is happening at the rink affects real kids and families," Reese said.
Speakers alleged specific problems the club wants reviewed: governance and oversight gaps at EPFD when a private operator makes programming decisions that affect nonprofit user groups; billing and scheduling practices the club said were inconsistent with the club’s expectations; contract terms that the club said tied coaches’ private‑lesson privileges to participation in operator‑run programs; and a lack of meaningful review of the financial viability of rink‑operated programming.
Councilmember Tuohy later thanked the speakers and said staff would look into the concerns and coordinate with "Jennifer" (a staff liaison referenced in the meeting). The meeting record shows no formal council motion or vote to change management or to order a formal audit during that session.
Why it matters: The rink serves youth athletes and community programs; the club says the operator’s decisions have staffing and program consequences that could affect skaters’ training and continuity. The club requested clearer public oversight by the EPFD when private operators’ actions affect access and programming at a publicly overseen facility.
What's next: Councilmembers said they would follow up with staff. The club asked for EPFD review and clearer policy about the scope of operator authority; no ordinance or formal action on the matter was adopted at the June 17 meeting.
