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Oakview Group defends expanded rink programs as Everett Figure Skating Club parents report denied contract renewal
Summary
Oakview Group told the Everett City Council its rink-operated programs aim to grow participation and public access, while several parents and EFSC representatives said the club’s long-standing license was not renewed and raised conflicts over scheduling and competing programs.
Richard Dana, assistant general manager for the Oakview Group, told the council the Everett Community Ice Rink has seen sharply rising demand and that management is expanding rink-operated figure-skating programs to retain skaters "and ensure the long term sustainability of this important public asset." Dana said EFSC's use license "expired this past March" and that Oakview "continued to provide ice times as a good faith effort."
Several parents and club members told the council the outcome felt different. "The club was denied renewal of its operation service agreement with the Everett Community Ice Rink this past spring," said Linda Park, speaking on behalf of the Everett Figure Skating Club, who added the club's contract "has been in place for almost 20 years." Park said Oakview Group has offered programs that directly compete with EFSC while controlling scheduling and that EPFD had not resolved the dispute.
Jeran Mitten, a parent and volunteer, asked the council to evaluate rink governance and scheduling policies, saying parents face inconsistent, unpredictable ice allocations that make planning difficult. "We're just asking to be transparent and also, like, having a clear defined operational governance," Mitten said.
Oakview and EPFD officials told council members they had attempted to meet with EFSC since April, that scheduled meetings were canceled by the club, and that legal counsel advised against signing the specific contract EFSC had proposed. Richard Dana said Oakview will continue to "rent the ice" and maintain EFSC's home-ice designation, support the club's Christmas event, and continue test sessions while managing an expanded pipeline from learn-to-skate programs.
Council Vice President Ryan asked Oakview to provide the written ice-time allocation policy; Dana said he would "send that up" and forward the document to council for review. The council did not take formal action on the dispute; staff pointed to EPFD board meetings as the public venue for the district that manages the arena.
