Well for the first time in 10 years, the Rink is going to miss it’s scheduled opening date for the Fall Freeze. It’s been tradition here that the Fall Freeze for us starts on August 15 of each year with Adult League, Classes, Public Skating, and various private events. It’s a celebration each year and this year, we’re ruining it for everyone. And for that, all of us here at the Rink Exchange apologize to our very loyal and supportive ice community. 
 
As of now, we are cancelling all events on August 15-17. We’ll update you daily on progress and further cancellation as we get more information.

So, what happened? 

In a nutshell, our refrigerators stopped working. They are old refrigerators that year after year chugs and chugs. Let’s just say they are the Big Compressors That Could. We take great care of them. Constantly do preventative maintenance. Keep them well oiled. And monitor them for performance. It's worth noting, that, given the age, parts aren’t always readily available and when they are, they are very expensive. It’s why we don’t stock them in large quantities. This has played a key role in the delay. 
 
When we started on July 27, Compressor 2 fired up great, but as we started the ice making process, it showed issues with its shaft seal. We were able to fix that issue while Compressor 1 was working to keep the ice stable. We couldn’t build more ice, but it was a quick repair. It took a few days to get parts, but it only delayed us by a couple of days. 
 
Then, when Compressor 2 was fixed and fired back up, Compressor 1 started acting up. 
 
For reference, to build ice, we need two functioning compressors at full capacity. 
 
After some analysis, Compressor 1 needed a top-ended overall. A process that is required about every 4 to 5 years. We do these on a normal schedule so we can avoid service interruptions, but this time Compressor 1 decided it would fail early and during the most critical time period. 
 
To complicate matters, parts for Compressor 1, that were originally ordered back on August 8, still have not arrived. As of today, we still have ice to build, paint to put down, and then lines and logos to install. And then after all that, we still have about an inch of ice to put down that all of you actually skate on. That’s about a four day process. We can do it faster than that in ideal conditions. 
 
At this moment, it’s difficult to ascertain when we’ll be ready because we still don’t have an estimate on when parts are supposed to arrive. We keep hearing today, but that was yesterday and so on. They are a great vendor and have been amazingly supportive of our community over the years. They too are also frustrated by the parts issue. 
 
So, we’re in a holding pattern until Compressor 1 is fixed. 
 
We all really appreciate your patience. Thanks so much!

​Season 7 Opening Day is just under 45 days away and lot of things have been happening to improve the facility in anticipation of your arrival.
 
First off, we’ve worked to improve our ice and to that end recently added Stefan Veach to list of STAR Certified personnel after he complete the Ice Making and Painting Technologies (IMPT) course at NARCE in Columbus, OH this past May. He will add to the already experienced staff responsible for creating the best ice conditions in the Valley.
 
We’ve also begun large structural work to the north end of the rink where the boards needed some repair. The improvements will straighten and strengthen that area of the boards making them more “true” during use. The improvement should also improve the ice making process in that corner allowing us to have better ice during warmer weather specifically in August and September.
 
Some structural work is underway on the south end of the rink with the ramp that the ice surfacer uses to get on the ice. This includes structural improvements to the door and threshold to maintain the improvements to that area that was established back in year 1 (if any of you remember that large crevice you know what we’re talking about). Also repairing of a door that was slightly mangled due a driver, whose name shall not be mentioned but rhymes with Lopez, has begun.
 
We’ve also begun work on the player benches to include a new type of flooring that will be much more resilient. No more holes and nor more residue onto the ice. Replacement of the benches themselves will be completed by opening. Gone will be the pink that was the rink.
 
In the locker rooms, we’re hard at work painting (mostly touchup), deep cleaning the rest rooms, and making general repairs (to doors, hinges and closures). We’re also taking advantage of the closure to repair hard to reach lights, tiles, and other high items.
 
Up in the lobby, we’re working to paint and make our rink that much more like home.
 
On the program front, registration for all adult league, Summer, Fall/Winter, and Spring has opened. Our class registration for Youth Intro to Hockey and Adult Intro to Hockey will open shortly with some new curriculum to make it even more fun for people to learn to play hockey. Last year marked a record number of new players coming into our rink to learn to play hockey. We’ll also be looking at an after school session for both starting in the Fall Term (October).
 
Youth Hockey registration opened on July 1st with significant changes to its curriculum to better align itself with the USA Hockey American Development Model (ADM) - all with the goal of increasing access to our game. They also have brought back the payment option to registration fees. If you haven’t looked at youth hockey recently, you need to check back in and see what you’re missing.
 
The Eugene Generals have been working the off-season preparing its entrance into the United State Premiere Hockey League. A 12th season of Eugene Generals hockey is coming to the Rink near you this September.
 
That’s just a quick snap of what’s going on at the Rink this summer. Looking forward to seeing all of you when the Rink opens up for the Fall Freeze on August 15th (soft opening on August 14th).
 
- The Rink

​St. Patrick’s Day is coming up, and what better way to celebrate than having a special public skate! For the first time ever, the Rink Exchange will be holding our St. Patrick’s Day Skate on Friday, March 18th. The special public skating session will take place following the Eugene Generals playoff game versus the Bellingham Blazers, and go until midnight.  
 
What: St. Patrick’s Day Public Skate…be sure to wear green!
 
When: Friday, March 18th from 10:15 PM-Midnight. The skate will begin immediately following the Generals-Blazers playoff game.
 
Why: Prizes, refreshments, treats, on-ice games, Irish music, skating, the list goes on and on! Wear green to win awesome raffle prizes and other fun treats (maybe even a pot of gold?).
 
Admission is $8 for adults, and $6 for students, seniors, and members of the military. This is a public skate you do NOT want to miss. Dress up in green or your best St. Patrick’s themed outfit, skate around, and have fun at the Rink Exchange on Friday night.
 
Hope to see you here!
 
-The Rink Exchange 

Rink Exchange Family,
 
Hope everyone is getting ready for the hockey season! As you know, we have begun making ice and the start of the season will soon be upon us.
 
We are writing to invite you to the Ice Hockey In Harlem First Game of the Season on August 15th, right here at the Rink Exchange!
 
Who: The first 52 players from The Rink Exchange to register

What: A fundraising event on behalf of Ice Hockey In Harlem

When: August 15th - Game #1 at 5 pm or Game #2 at 6:45 pm. Players will be assigned to one of these two timeslots.

Why: Support an organization that teaches life values through hockey to low-income children, get back on the ice after many months off, and enjoy complementary Hop Valley beer and Pita Pit.
 
The mission of Ice hockey In Harlem is to improve the social and academic well being of children from the Harlem community. They accomplish this mission by offering free hockey and educational programing to over 200 low-income children from Harlem each season. Ice Hockey In Harlem was founded in 1987 and has positively impacted the lives of thousands of children over the past 28 years. Brian Duggan, an alumnus of many Rink Exchange programs and the son of current RHL player Mike Duggan, is actively involved with Ice Hockey In Harlem as a member of their Young Professionals Board. 
 
Please see the attached flyer for additional details about this event. Email Mike Duggan at mikesduggan@msn.com to register or with any questions.
 
Thanks and we hope to see you here on August 15th to support a great cause!
 
The Rink Exchange