Steinberg Rink Seeks Private Sector Support（英文）

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Historical March 1984 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.

Forest Park’s Mark C. Steinberg Memorial Skating Rink is alive but not so well, according to Tom Lyles, rink manager. Lyles met informally on Feb. 15 with several rink patrons concerned about rumors that the rink may close.

He said that there are no official plans to close at present, but pointed out that the rink shows a yearly operating deficit and has little money for maintenance and improvements.

He termed the rumors an “annual event” which accompanies the city’s budgetmaking process. However. “the impression that Steinberg is OK is false,” he said.

During the meeting, Lyles proposed a so-called “Advisory Council” to help establish a broader base of support for the skating rink.

The Council would provide a continuing, private sector source of promotion and fund raising specifically for the rink’s benefit.

It would be similar to the “Friends of” organizations presently allied with the nearby Planetarium and Art Museum.

Persons at the meeting expressed common appreciation for the unique asset that Steinberg rink offers to the St. Louis area. Nearly all have had a long association with the rink, having learned to skate or play ice hockey there.

Most live near Forest Park, a few having returned from the county.

The group is now seeking others interested in pursuing the idea of an Advisory Council.

As of this writing, a second meeting was to have been held on Thursday, March 1.

Once the Council is formally organized, it will work with the manager to identify specific needs at the rink and then establish a program to raise funds.

For more information, Tom Lyles may be reached at the rink (361-5103).

In a later interview, George Kinsey, director of Parks and Recreation for the city, emphasized that “there is no plan to close the rink down, but there is always that danger.

We never know, truthfully.” The director noted that the city has had “not a lot” of long range financial planning, forcing much of the budget to be considered on a year-by-year basis.

Since the department must always operate within the constraints of the city’s general revenue, any facility, not just the rink, can face a funding cut. Kinsey believes that “we won’t ever see the day that the rink will break even.” However, he emphasized that the two City golf courses are the only department facilities that generate a profit.

Even then, the amount is insignificant compared with the department’s $9-11 million annual budget. Ice skating is an expensive operation because of the equipment needed to make and maintain the ice.

This includes a refrigeration plant complete with miles of coolant tubes under the ice, and the familiar “Zamboni” resurfacing machine. Though the overhead for roller skating is lower, the rink is far from breaking even.

According to Lyles, gate receipts do not even cover the utility bills, which run $45,000 to $55,000 a year. Sources for capital improvement funds are also harder to tap, said Kinsey. Federal grants for parks have all but disappeared with the current administration, and municipal bond issues have not met with much recent success. Fortunately, said Kinsey, the physical plant is functioning “better than expected.” The rink still has its original compressor and rubber floor mats. Nevertheless, economies have become a necessity.

The wooden ice hockey boards which once surrounded the rink, donated by the Missouri Hockey Association, were not replaced once they deteriorated.

Since becoming manager eleven years ago, Lyles has lost eight of eighteen attendants, all four custodians, and his only assistant. Only extra dedication by the smaller staff has kept the facility in good shape, he noted.

Some recent improvements have been possible, including a new sound system and repairs to the sidewalks.

The rink has taken over operation of the skate shop to increase revenue, but is awaiting authorization for two new employees to run the shop. Concerning the current draft of the proposed Forest Park Master Plan, Steinberg rink is specifically addressed as an underutilized area, along with the Planetarium and the Jewel Box.

Dan McGuire, 28th Ward Alderman and proponent of the Master Plan, readily admits that the rink “needs attention.” He notes further that the Master Plan draft “recognizes the need for a private sector organization.” Resident involvement with a favorite facility is important, since “budget cuts will naturally occur in the areas of least resistance.” The Master Plan makes no specific recommendations for improvement or expansion of Steinberg.

However, the rink “offers great potential,” says Kinsey.

He recognizes that a roof over the rink would make the facility more productive by minimizing the effects of weather on the skating surface.

The Mark C. Steinberg Memorial Skating Rinks owes its existence to the generosity of Mrs. Mark Steinberg, who contributed two-thirds the cost of its construction.

The City of St. Louis allocated the remaining one-third. Covering an area 150 feet wide by 230 feet long, the rink was the largest in the country when dedicated in November 1957. Construction of other rinks has dropped it to third place today as an ice rink, but Steinberg remains the nation’s largest outdoor roller rink. Eugene Brostowski, commissioner of Recreation, was the rink’s first manager. Winter or summer, regularly scheduled recreational skating attracts 1,500 to 2000 patrons to the rink every week. Learn-to-skate sessions have been a major activity during the winter, involving nearly 500 wouldbe skaters weekly, from preschoolers through adults.

This has included the Partnership Program, a pilot effort to provide privately funded skating classes for some 300 inner city children.

The change in season will bring 300 city school children in May for a learn-to-roller skate program. • The Athletic Academy, located on Des Peres Avenue, sends 120 students to the rink three times a week for part of their personal sports activity.

The Missouri Speed Skating Association meets regularly at Steinberg for practice and competitive ice skating.

Originally published in The Paper, March 1984.

Read this article in the original newspaper issue.

Original source: SD_Times1984_03.pdf, printed page(s) 1, 5; PDF page(s) 1, 5.