Support Spaces Spectator seating plays a big role in overall costs. In fact, spectator seating can geometrically increase the structural part of a facility's cost because it typically increases the clear span. Properly planned office space makes it easy to operate, supervise and oversee a facility with minimal staff. Staffing typically accounts for 40 percent of the oeprations cost for a single-sheet arena. By centralizing management operations, staff requirements drop.
Concessions can be a significant source of revenue.
Some rink owners are even trying to negotiate with franchises such as McDonald's to locate in or adjacent to ice arenas to better attract public skating patrons. The Hat Trick Cafe in the Blaine Super Rink is a great example of today's expanding concession opportunities. In community-sized ice arenas, team rooms are typically places where team members can meet and change clothes. Ideally, rooms should be separate and accessible directly from the ice sheet to avoid off-ice confrontations between competitors. Women's hockey also needs to be addressed.