New management brings changes for rink

Press, 2 April 1987, Page 31

New management brings changes for rink

Since new management took over last December, many things have changed at The Big Apple Ice Rink, says its promotions manager, Mr John Mitchell.

“The whole structure of the place has changed,” he says.

“For a start we took on an entirely new staff.

"We reduced admission and soft drink prices, we changed the session times to suit bus timetables, and we got Polytech, the Y.M.C.A. and schools back again. “Since then, we’ve been incredibly busy, and this isn’t even the peak season.

“We then began working on getting away from the image of just being an ice-skating rink. “As a result, we’re changing oiir name to the Big Apple International Ice Rink, and we’re going to import overseas shows. -

"Changes are also going to be made to the lay-out of the place. The changing rooms upstairs will be brought downstairs, the coffee shop will be extended, and a fully licensed restaurant is planned for the upstairs area with a view over the rink.

“This will mean families can come out here for a meal, and when the kids get restless they can go and skate while their parents watch from the restaurant. “One of the first shows we’ll be putting on is a ‘Speedway on Ice’ show, which will run from August 13 to August 16.

“A show like this will be a first for New Zealand,” says Mr Mitchell. “We’ll be bringing over

two American speedway champions for the show: one will be Scotty Brown, America’s 1986 ice-speed-way champion, and the other will be George Lazor, the runner-up. “We’ll also have Gary Davies from Australia, and six top New Zealand speedway riders. “The show, which will run for two and a half hours, will also involve other entertainers, such as one of the leading ladies from the largest touring ice show in America, ‘Holiday on Ice.’ “The opening night of our show has already been sold out thanks to speedway clubs throughout New Zealand,” says Mr Mitchell. “Another show we’ve got planned involves gathering together 22 overseas performers from the leading ice shows of the world, for one ice spectacular,” he says. “This will take place in September, and the only performances will be in Christchurch. “For Christmas, we’ve lined up another top international show. It will be called ‘Christmas on Ice’ and will tour Christchurch, Nelson and possibly Dunedin. “Another big event planned is a top Canadian ice-hockey team playing two test matches between New Zealand and them- ,

selves. This is planned for Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2.” Mr Mitchell says importing shows does not mean the end of iceskating for the rink. "Rather than restrict ice-skating at the fink, I think the shows will encourage skating,” he says, "as kids will be able to go skating with the artists after the shows.”