IN THE CITY
by James F. Kaiser
Once more we find ourselves into the ice season! Skaters of all type are coming to The Forum for practice, fun and competition.
For safety, all competitive skating has rules that must me abided by at all times. Breaking these rules can cause serious injury, or worse, to the skater or anyone else in the vicinity and there are penalties applied to anyone who breaks these rules. This is true with Public Skating sessions at The Forum.
During a typical public session there are skaters whose range of skill is from expert to novice and allowing everyone to skate in a manner that provides enjoyment and safety can prove extremely difficult. A set of guidelines is posted in The Forum arena and lobby with a set of rules posted over the entrance to the ice for just that purpose.
The guidelines, called “Duties and Conduct of Skaters”, are taken from Maine Law governing private arenas. The guidelines tell the skater that it is THEIR responsibility to know their ability and to skate within their ability. The guidelines also tell the skater that it is their responsibility to maintain control of their speed and course at all times and to be alert and observant of others. The Guidelines then go on to tell the skater that the dangers involved in skating are obvious; slips, falls, collisions, etc., and by participating in skating they accept these dangers.
The rules spell out the actions that are extremely dangerous or unacceptable and not allowed. As with competition, breaking these rules has penalties that range from a simple warning to expulsion from the facility for the remainder of the season. These rules are enforced by Skate Patrol who are out on the ice at all times.
Skating can be fun for all if everyone follows the rules and makes allowances for conditions and each other.
James F. Kaiser is Forum director for the city of Presque Isle. He can be reached at 764-0491 or via e-mail at theforum@mfx.net.
