The Western New York Native, Barb Bogner, who is the CU Rec Center Assistant Director of Pools & Ice Rink, is now a contributing member of the olympic ice crew in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Her journey to the peak of ice maintenance is something Barb is not taking for granted.
"Having an athlete or their coach come up to you and say, 'that’s the best sheet of ice I have ever skated.' That’s why we are here, why we were chosen to be a part of this team of ice technicians." - Barb Bogner
Barb’s job is quite demanding, which is not a surprise due to the fact that she’s tasked with making the conditions superb for athletes who compete at the pinnacle of their sport. Barb’s job entails flooding the ice sheets which originally start as concrete, base coating grey paint, center ice logos, short track dots, starting points, lines and timing system loop inlays. On top of this she’s responsible for daily ice depth measurements, air temperatures, humidity levels, zamboni maintenance and ice resurfacing.
Barb's well-respected reputation was a key factor for her getting the job. She has a plethora of friends who are ice technicians in different parts of Colorado, and all over the United States. When asked, "How did you get involved with working at the Ice Rink in the Olympics?" Networking. I know several of the previous Olympic crew. When I found out who was running this year's crew for figure and short track, I applied, turned in my credentials, did a test drive and was nominated for the team.
Barb has always had a love for the rink. When asked what inspired her to become an ice technician, she said, "I've always wanted to drive a zamboni. Also being in the right place at the right time helps too." Barb has been lucky enough to follow her passion, which has taken her overseas to a city across the globe. Having the opportunity to work the ice in a gorgeous city with mountains on one side and a beach on the other is just icing on the cake for her. Early in her career she was working the concession stand at EPIC in Fort Collins, but now she gets to maintain ice for world-class athletes and watch a little bit of olympic USA curling and figure skating when she finds some free time.