Article published September 27, 2009
Different events require changes in configuration
Transforming the arena’s setup from hockey to football or a concert
is done by a 20-person team.
(
THE BLADE/LORI KING
)
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By RYAN AUTULLO
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
Every game of the hockey season, the Walleye will make numerous line shifts, substituting players on and off the ice in an effort to field a rested and cohesive unit.
But the line shifting won’t end at the conclusion of some games. A 20-person unit will take over to transform the Lucas County Arena from a hockey venue to a concert site. Or from a concert site to a hockey venue.
Mix in other sporting and entertainment events scheduled at the arena and what you have is a constant operation that probably isn’t given much thought by the audience.
A standard work shift for those assisting in the changeover, according to arena general manager Steve Miller, is 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The following duties need to be accomplished in the hours between, say, a hockey game and a concert: An ice resurfacer, more commonly referred to by the brand name Zamboni, is used to cut the ice before a cover can be placed over the surface. Then, a crew removes the protective glass that surrounds the hockey rink while another crew transforms the players’ bench areas and the penalty boxes into seating.
When those tasks are completed, retractable bleachers — which Mr. Miller said are more “sophisticated” than you’ll find at a high school sporting event — are set up to increase the arena’s capacity. Finally, it is time to construct a 60-foot-wide by 40-foot-deep concert stage. Of course what good is floor seating unless someone sets up chairs?
The procedure for a monster truck event, or for a circus, is slightly different as the ice is covered by layers of polyethylene sheets, followed by dirt. An ammonia system will keep the ice temperature at 19 degrees, Mr. Miller said.
The first changeover will take place after the Oct. 3 open house, because the Walleye are set to begin training camp a day later.
The convention and entertainment manager SMG is bringing in employees from some of its other sites, including Nationwide Arena in Columbus, to help train the changeover crew and those responsible for making the ice and cleaning the facility. SMG has hired an operations manager to oversee the arena — he held a similar position in Grand Rapids, Mich. — but Mr. Miller said assistance will be needed initially.
“He just has to get it down pat in this building,” Mr. Miller said. “He’s got good training, but we’ll also bring in people from other facilities to assist him.”
Contact Ryan Autullo at:rautullo@theblade.comor 419-724-6160.
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