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New skate night manager focused on safety, programming
By Danna Webster, KP News
Skate Night at the Civic Center has been around for
about 35 years but the program saw some major changes
beginning last October, when Troy Milles became the
first paid skate night manager. For one thing, “It’s
making lots of money,” says Pam Libstaff, Civic Center
bookkeeper.
Troy Milles, wearing an ear
piece from his walkie-talkie, with one of
the Skate Night
referees, Michael “Mic” Law. Referees and
the communication radios are new safety
additions Milles implemented since he took
the helm of the program.
Photo by Karina Whitmarsh |
On
Friday nights, Milles arrives for work about two hours
before skate time. “I get here early. I like to have a
big bumper of time to get ready,” he says. This
particular night he is getting ready for a ‘70s Disco
Theme Night (and is dressed appropriately). He was
expecting the disc jockey, Kip Miller, to be styling
with a full Afro wig. Theme nights happen once a month
and skaters dressed for the theme receive a ticket stub.
Tickets are drawn all through the night for prizes.
Prize tickets are also given for wearing school colors
on School Spirit nights, which happen the last Friday of
every month.
Milles lives near Volunteer Park with his wife, Maree,
but grew up on the east side of Tacoma. In 1993, he went
to work for Campfire U.S.A and worked for almost 10
years in its nonprofit youth development programs. He
brings his professionalism from this experience to the
skate night manager job. His main focus for change to
the skate program is on security and safety.
“We
don’t want to take anything away from programming but we
are going to insist on safety and security for kids,” he
says. Changes have been made to the physical layout of
the skate floor as well as walking and skating traffic
patterns. “Walkie-talkie” communications have been
added, along with referees complete with striped shirts
and whistles. “I know there have been some concerns in
the past (about safety),” he says. “If we’ve lost some
parents to whatever was going on in the past, we need to
let them know there is some good stuff going on here
now.”
It
is a big job to keep 120 to 150 kids happy and safe for
three hours every Friday night. Milles has help,
including two committees that advise management. The
Staff Committee sets policy and evaluates image and risk
management. The Volunteer Committee needs more members
and will consist of parents, youth, and reps from the
Civic Center board and schools.
Troy Milles overlooks the
floor of the gym where youngsters are
skating along as
loud music plays. Photo by Karina Whitmarsh |
Jennifer Miller is the kitchen manager, where pizza
slices and popcorn have been added. The prices are kept
low and cover enough to pay expenses. The Whitmore Room
becomes a game room on Fridays, offering games like
foosball, air hockey, Guitar Hero and Dance Revolution.
Skate Night opens at 6 on Friday nights for all
elementary and middle school students. The first hour of
skating is reserved for elementary students only. Milles
says this allows room for parents to walk around with
their beginner skaters. Professional standards are set,
as skaters walk through the beautiful new Civic Center
entrance and are met by the skate manager wearing
slacks, shirt and tie (except for theme nights, of
course).
The
committee teamwork, volunteers and staff are all
responsible for the program’s increased success,
according to Milles. A goal has been set to average 150
kids for 40 weeks. Milles says, “I’m grateful for the
(Civic Center) board, which has been extremely,
extremely supportive.”
He
plans to make promotional visits to Key Pen
organizations and businesses to let them know about the
success of skate night and encourage their participation
and sponsorship. “I’m big on partnering,” Milles says.
Skate Night, captured here
before Milles took over in October, has
always been a popular event as well as a
fundraiser for the Civic Center.
Photo by Mindi LaRose |
©Copyright 2005-2008, Key Peninsula
News, all rights reserved.
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