In cooperation between the IIHF and the Hungarian Ice Hockey Federation, on November 19th-20th a conference was held on how team make and upkeep optimal ice conditions. was held in Budapest.
During the two day conference a number of interactive presentations were held from morning until the late afternoon, as well as practical presentation on the practice ice rink and the Kisstadion as well. Some of the topics during the two days was how to be economical, the ideal thickness of the ice and how to maintain this thickness. The newest and the best tools and machines of the trade were also introduced during the event.
Frank Gonzalez of the IIHF who is head of the committee for facility management within the IIHF was also present during the two days, Zoltán Kovács of the HIHF is also a member of this committee. Mr.Gonzalez was in Hungary recently as the chairman of the second round of the Continental Cup did not mind being in Hungary for a second time in such a short time span, since he thinks Budapest is a beautiful city and there is always something to do.
“The goal of the conference was to pass on information from experts in member countries such as Hungary, to have quality ice and to be economical at the same time.” There were 35 people in attendance mostly from all over Hungary, but there were a couple participants from abroad as well.
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“All the participants were very interested in the topic and were very open, they had some great questions and I believe we accomplished our goal”
The USA Hockey representative within the IIHF facility committee, Jeff Theiler also had a presentation. He is employed full time by “Serving the American Rinks” (STAR) as president. This is a nonprofit organization that is financed by both USA Hockey and also the U.S. Figure Skating federation, where they pass on similar information to create and maintain ideal ice conditions in rinks and arenas all throughout the country. “We have the same problems in the U.S. with the ice as you have here in Hungary or anywhere else in the world” answered Theiler when asked how much does his program differ from what could be found here.
Manu Varho from the Finnish sports institute Vierumaki also visited Hungary for the two days. Manu did not come empty handed as he brought everything that is need to paint the ice with him, including what they use in the NHL. He held a demonstration on the Kisstadion ice surface on how to paint the lines, how to accurately lay everything out and correctly put everything where they belong.
The two days went by in a great atmosphere as everyone learned something new which they can use in their work. Both the organizers and the participants found the conference to be very successful and the idea of the creation of the Hungarian Ice Rink Association. On December 9th representatives from facilities from around Hungary will meet to decide the creation of this association at lengths.
“The idea of the Rink association is that we are able to help each other and try to make our lives easier, we would like to stay in touch through some sort of forum and to work together” said the director and president of the City Park ice rink, László Bartha.