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The News of Orange County, Hillsborough, NC,Wednesday, September 25, 1996-3p+ 33
<br /> SportsPlex out — -
<br /> to change image ,g
<br /> boost membership
<br /> _ p
<br /> deejays who take requests and
<br /> By Rich Weidman moonlight skates for college kids."
<br /> Staff writer Another ro unique q program sched-
<br /> The Triangle SportsPlex board of uled at SportsPlex will be"Winter
<br /> Wonderland,"beginning on Oct. 14 �
<br /> directors turned to a New York
<br /> firm, Recreational Management for kids ages 2-9.
<br /> Services, to help reverse financial "The ice machine will dump , 5 :_F k
<br /> losses suffered by the facility dur- snow on the ice,and kids can create r }
<br /> ing its first year of operation. snowballs, snowmen and snow ,;
<br /> In seeking a new general man- castles,"said Robertson. lei
<br /> ager, Recreational Management SportsPlex has hosted the
<br /> Services turned to Mike Robertson, Orange County Senior Games
<br /> who brings a wealth of manage- Swim Tournament and the N.C. *v° "
<br /> ment experience to his new posi- State Hockey Games. The facility 6
<br /> tion. is also home to the Triangle Youth x g
<br /> SportsPlex, a $10.6 million, Hockey Association, the OHS
<br /> 82,000-square-foot facility located swim team, and Duke and UNC
<br /> hockey teams,among others. l _V,`
<br /> off U.S. 70 A, opened with fanfare Y g
<br /> in April 1995. However, high debt In addition to offering swim-
<br /> and slow business produced losses ming, hockey and figure-skating
<br /> estimated at $250,000 during the lessons for all ages and abilities,
<br /> first year of operation. SportsPlex provides classes in such
<br /> diverse areas as in-line skating,
<br /> Robertson, who assumed his g.wa-
<br /> new post three weeks ago,said the ter walking, deep water aerobics, ' .
<br /> y y g scuba diving and fl fishing. �`"
<br /> facility has already started an a - g Y 8•
<br /> gressive marketing campaign to The Carolina Monarchs,primary
<br /> beef up business. affiliate of the NHL's Florida
<br /> "You can't just open the doors: Panthers, are currently holding
<br /> there needs to be marketing," said their 1996 training camp at
<br /> Robertson. "We're making a major SportsPlex. The team will host the
<br /> push to be where we want to be. Baltimore Bandits in an exhibition
<br /> We want to make sure everyone game on Sept. 30. Rich Weidman/The News of Orar
<br /> knows about the wide variety of Hockey teams are also coming in Mike Robertson brings a wealth of experience to
<br /> family-oriented programming we from Raleigh, Greensboro and position as general manager of the Triangle Sport
<br /> Burlington to utilize the facility,offer, and that this is a place they g Y. Hillsborough.
<br /> can come to and get entertained. according to Robertson.
<br /> "We're already on the right track. Robertson commends the hard organization. Robertson left Califo
<br /> Things are turning around. It will work of the SportsPlex staff, After graduation, Robertson be- manage a brand-new S4.2
<br /> just get better." which includes Donna M:rtinez,di- came assistant manager at the ice rink in Charlottesville,
<br /> The main features of SportsPlex rector of marketing; Rusty Kretz, Icecapades organization in New then he heard about the r
<br /> are a professional-sized ice hockey swim director;Craig Campagnolio, ment opening at Sportsplex
<br /> and skating rink, a competition- Part-time hockey director;and Mary York City's Central Park. He then "I thought it was a great
<br /> sited and recreational indoor Jo Bullin, figure skating instructor. managed ice rinks in California for
<br /> "We stress quality 3 1/2 ears. tunity since [SportsPlex]
<br /> swimming pool, and a fitness ten- q y customer ser- y than an ice rink," said Rol
<br /> g vice; our staff's attitude is that ev- I was responsible for overseeing than
<br /> been to many facili
<br /> ter offering aerobics,cardiovascular
<br /> and weight training. The facility ery customer is important," said maintenance,scheduling,personnel
<br /> and all programs this is the nicest I've sec
<br /> also offers a game room,restaurant Robertson. p gra sat the facilities," type„
<br /> and pro shop.
<br /> A native of Maine, Robertson said Robertson.
<br /> "Public skating was almost received a bachelor's degree in
<br /> neglected [in the past]," said recreational management from
<br /> Robertson. "We have a number of Franklin Pierce College in New
<br /> exciting programs in mind for pub- Hampshire. A college baseball
<br /> lic skating, such as basketball player, Robertson came close to
<br /> shoots, mini-goif games on ice, joining the Philadelphia Phillies
<br />
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