Zamboni driver keeps things smooth

Jan. 12, 2007

By MATT TUNSETH

Frontiersman

WASILLA - Not just anyone can drive a Zamboni.

Luckily for hockey players, figure skaters and recreational skaters in the Valley, Paul &#8220Chuck” Westphale isn't just anybody. He's a building maintenance worker for the city of Wasilla, one of a small group of people capable of handling the biggest, most interesting player on the ice.

Part of Westphale's job is to fire up the ice resurfacing machine (known as a Zamboni after the machine's inventor and also a trade name for the most common machine manufacturer) at the Multi-Use Sports Complex in Wasilla. It's a job that looks deceptively easy, but is full of nuance.

&#8220It looks easy, but not just anybody could just jump up there and do it,” Westphale said.

The 5,500-pound machine (nearly 7,000 pounds when loaded with almost 400 gallons of water) cost the city approximately $60,000. It essentially lays down a fresh sheet of ice by shaving off the old ice and pouring hot water onto the cold surface of the rink. A large shaving blade slices off the ice, and an augur pulls the snow created into a large holding tank. A towel that runs behind the back of the machine smoothes the water as it fills in cracks and scrapes caused by skates.

A good driver has to recognize ice conditions to make sure a good sheet is put down, he said. Larger, faster skaters tend to make big gouges that require a slower run with more water. Smaller skaters, such as children, tend not to make such big impressions on the ice.

Westphale said the key to a good run is consistency. If he goes too fast, the water can get spread too thin.

&#8220Ten to 12 minutes is a good time,” he said. &#8220It can be done in six minutes, but you want to lay down a smooth sheet of ice.”

Most drivers learn to drive the machine by riding along with an experienced driver. There are also classes drivers can take to learn the intricacies of ice resurfacing. But the biggest part of becoming a good driver, Westphale said, is practice.

&#8220You can teach someone really quick to run and operate it, but you're always running across different conditions that might require different operations,” he said.

A good operator will usually pull off about as much old ice as there is water in the hot tank, approximately 290 gallons in any given resurfacing.

Consistency is key to a good surface. Varying speeds can lead to little bumps in the ice that, over time, can build up and make the surface less smooth.

Driving the big machine can be a lot of fun, and Westphale said he enjoys getting to be the center of attention whenever the Zamboni is needed - typically once an hour during regular ice time, or between periods of a hockey game.

&#8220Everyone gets mesmerized by it,” he said. &#8220Especially the kids. They love the Zamboni guy.”

Although his regular job description includes a variety of facility maintenance work — everything from finding helmet screws for hockey players to changing light bulbs — driving the Zamboni is definitely Westphale's claim to fame.

&#8220I've had kids come up to me in the grocery store and go, ‘look mom, it's the Zam guy,'” he said.

In addition to keeping an eye on ice conditions, Westphale must also get to know the coaches and people who plan to use the ice once it's resurfaced. Some coaches want more ice time and don't mind choppy ice, so they'll ask the driver to make a quick run.

&#8220It's a big part of the game, knowing the coaches and what they like,” he said.

Overall, though, the main goal of Westphale or any of the facility's seven other trained Zamboni drivers is to make sure the ice stays smooth and clean.

&#8220I always want to do the best job I can,” he said.

After he's done running up and down the ice, Westphale's job isn't completely done. The freshly shaved ice is dumped into a warming tank, then drained. At that point, the driver must let the machine cool down before hopping off and waiting for the next trip.

Westphale takes pride in his work, evidenced by a recent resurfacing he did between practices at the facility. Turning to look at his work, he noted a couple small mistakes - a small missed spot here, a little too much water there - but smiled when he saw hockey players taking to a fresh, smooth sheet of new ice.

&#8220That's not a bad sheet.”

Contact Matt Tunseth at

352-2265 or matt.tunseth@

frontiersman.com