Article submitted to Reminder. Edited version run on November 22, 2005 paper.

ZRINK, YOU GOTTA SEE THIS PLACE!

If you haven’t been to the ZRINK on Eastern Boulevard, a stone’s throw from Smith Middle School, then you should stop in. This impressive state of the art multi-sport facility is home to many recreation activities including in-line roller hockey, lacrosse, soccer, frisbee and field hockey and serves children and adults of all ages. The best part about playing at ZRINK, is that it doesn’t have to be a 4 day a week commitment like other sports, which makes it considerably easier on families.

Built in 2001 by Rich Zlatkus, ZRINK was designed to serve a growing interest in in-line roller hockey. Mr. Zlatkus was looking for a less expensive alternative to ice hockey and built what many refer to as the best in-line roller hockey facility on the east coast. ZRINK provides four sessions of in-line roller hockey leagues and clinics to as many as 65 adult teams, 20 youth teams ranging from ages 8-18 and clinics for as many as 50 kids per session. ZRINK holds 6 tournaments per year and offers camps during all school vacations for kids ages 7-18. ZRINK also caters to the kids who are interested in playing at a higher level. ZRINK Selects conducts tryouts and forms “premier” level teams in March and then compete in the spring session as well as play at several tournaments. This also attracts many ice hockey players who are looking to take a break from the riggers of year round ice hockey. In 2005, ZRINK captured the gold medal at the Nutmeg Games in the 8U and 12U divisions. The facility has attracted other in-line hockey groups including the Eastern Collegiate Roller Hockey Association which hosts 3 tournaments each winter where as many as 20 colleges, including home team UCONN, send their Club In-Line Hockey teams for competition. ZRINK is home to the Hartford Thunder, a semi-pro in-line hockey team in Major League Roller Hockey. This year, the Thunder will play 7 home games at ZRINK. ZRINK has also hosted tournaments for the State Nutmeg Games and national organizations such as TopCat and State Wars. ZRINK also houses a full line of hockey equipment in their Pro Shop. Whether you are an ice or roller hockey player, ZRINK probably has what you need.

ZRINK is not just roller hockey. The Connecticut Ultimate Club, an association that administers Ultimate frisbee, calls Zrink home for their indoor winter league. Highly regarded Mario Lopez of Chief Lacrosse will begin his third year of providing lacrosse clinics to boys from 5^th grade to 12th grade. Coach Lopez also oversees all Lacrosse activity associated with Xtreme Lax, a new program at ZRINK which offers leagues to boys and girls.

During the day time hours, The Glastonbury YMCA provides a variety of clinics to children including soccer, nerf sports, T-ball, roller hockey, basketball and the always popular floor hockey program. ZRINK also provides clinics for kids who want to Learn to Skate. There are also “open times”, to allow kids or adults the opportunity to try it out. Every day from 12noon to 1pm, adults or youth are able to get out and try the rink. Not only is it great exercise, it is only $5.00.

Each April, ZRINK is home to the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce Business Exposition. The Chamber of Commerce does a fabulous job transforming this facility into an awesome convention center for Glastonbury local businesses. Other companies have conducted trade shows at ZRINK with great success. Import Tire of National Drive, just down the street from ZRINK recently invited their vendors for an afternoon of product display.

If you want to have a party, birthday or just to celebrate, ZRINK is the place. ZRINK boasts an awesome sound system and people bring their own CD’s and blast them out.

In November of 2004, after building this awesome facility and core business, Rich Zlatkus sold ZRINK to local resident Bill MacLean and Jack Maloney. Bill MacLean serves as the day to day manager of the facility while Jack attends to his other businesses. Bill states, “Rich was instrumental in making the initial transition very easy. I still talk to Rich and he not only continues to be very helpful, but we have become good friends. Jack and I have been friends since we played against each other in Little League. Jack is a very successful business man, but more importantly he has great character. “

“That’s what ZRINK is about. It is a very friendly atmosphere,” says MacLean, who holds a Masters Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from UCONN and also conducts clinics as well as managing the facility. “I am very lucky. I get to work in a sports facility that’s minutes from my house. My son Tyler (8) loves to play at ZRINK and my daughters Kelley (18) and Alex (16) both work here which means I get to see them a lot. The staff that works here has been here before I arrived. They enjoy the atmosphere.”

“Sometimes you get to give back when you work in a place like ZRINK. We recently partnered with Phil Stratos of Global Mail Express and Healthtrax, conducting a food and supply drive for the victims of Katrina. I was also able to provide rink time for the Glastonbury High School Field Hockey team (MacLean’s daughter Alex plays on the team) during the rain week. Hey, they are #2 in the State and when the coaches asked, I said you bet!”