E. S. P. Retail Showcase

Focus -  Sports & Recreation

Compiled by Janet Heller

ICE CHALET

35 years on the sheets

 

 

After 35 years in the business of providing ice rinks within major shopping complexes, Ice Chalet now also caters to other blade and roller sports on its rinks, offers the public its Ice Chalet Skating School, provides a hockey league for its customers, runs a chain of retail sports clothes and equipment outlets in its venues, and manages rinks for other sports developers.

In 1965, Ice Chalet was created as a sports venue in shopping malls for figure skaters to train and practice their skills.  The founders of Ice Chalet acted on their vision of a skating rink located in the center court of a regional malls.  With the help of a large California developer that the company does not wish to disclose, Ice Chalet was one of the earliest entertainment retailers to introduce a sports concept to the shopping experience.  Success followed, and by 1985, Ice Chalet had opened more than 20 ice skating centers nationwide, becoming the largest operator of ice rinks in the United States.  In 1994, Recreation World, Inc. acquired Ice Chalets, with anticipation of expanding the business and capitalizing on the public’s interest in ice skating, roller/in-line skating, and hockey. 

Management:  Recreation World’s corporate office works with mall developers, architects, and contractors to design skating space and concepts.   In 1996, a privately-held and strongly capitalized investment company in Seattle, Washington purchased a significant interest in Recreation World, Inc., and a new CFO, Betty Hurn, was added to address shortfalls in management, programming and capital investment.  A new president, Tom LeBouf, took over in 1998.  Together they are preparing the company for economic growth and expansion of outlets.

Revenue:  Average annual sales range from $1.2 million to $1.5 million at each outlet. 

 

 

 

Programs:  Ice Chalet offers a seven-day-a-week public skating program, focusing on families, to the general public.  The Ice Chalet Skating School offers group and individual instruction to skaters of all ages and abilities. Ice Chalet promotes hockey in two ways, as a supplier of ice and as a promoter and organizer of both in-house and travel teams.   In 1992, Ice Chalet formed internal hockey teams and began charging to join them.  The company also developed a plan to market and operate leagues, both instructional and competitive.  

 

Locations:  Through consolidation, and as a result of changes in the shopping mall industry, Ice Chalet currently operates 11 ice skating centers in California, Oregon, Tennessee, Arizona and North Carolina.   Ice Chalet has operated skating rinks under long-term leases with several major landlords including the Hahn Company, JMB, Segerstrom Family, Faison, Cousins, Westfield, and General Growth.  Ice Chalets has also managed skating facilities for owners across the country. 

 

Parent Company:  Recreation World, Inc.

Retail:  The retail store offers impulse items, hockey equipment and sports logo apparel from professional hockey as well as Ice Chalet and Recreation World brands.

 

Expansion:  The company is expanding nationwide.  New venues range from 28,000 sq.ft. for single sheetsof ice to 50,000 sq.ft. for two sheets.  Typical leases are 10 to 15 years. Build-to-suit or existing buildings are of interest.  Freestanding facilities, malls, value centers, family-oriented centers, and entertainment centers will all be considered.  Clear-span buildings with excellent exposure and access to major thoroughfares are desired.  The economics of each deal will require gross rent at low to moderate rates.

 

Contact Information:  General:  Ice Chalets/ A Recreation World Company, 13211-A Brooks Drive, Baldwin Park, California, 91706; 626-338-8126, Fax 626-338-9128. Exclusive broker: Brian Hunter, BDH Associates, Inc., 825 Oak Grove Avenue, Suite D-101, Menlo Park, California, 94025-4427; 650-853-0500, Fax 650-853-0505; e-mail: bdhinc@aol.com