Petrina R.
Yelp
I was happy to see an ice skating - "Let's Skate" event hosted at LeFrak Center at Prospect Park for only $16.00 each via Eventbrite. It was a first for my son and I, but the third time for my 13 year old daughter.
The event started at 12:30pm per the ticket, but I failed to read the fine print "Meet at the front at 1pm for VIP tickets. That was my mistake, what occurred next wasn't. I gave my phone to the cashier and she immediately said, "OOPS" of course I said, "OH BOY!" she called over a manager and explained the ticket bar code was not working. I explained I was there for "Let's Skate" and it was coordinated through Eventbrite. She immediately looked up the event on her sheet but didn't see "Let's Skate" I found the email from the coordinator and it was known as Island something or the other. The manager located their name, but asked if I could call her to ask where my ticket was. Anyone who uses eventbrite know you don't usually have that kind of information. The other manager, Mike Schulman was called over and I write this as a reflection on him and not the other employees. He's a nasty manager, I mean down right UNPROFESSIONAL and rude. Everyone else that helped me were kind, patient and helpful, but him - NOT a NICE BONE in his bearded body. He would scream on his walkie talkie radio, "WE ARE NOT HOSTING A FOUR HOUR EVENT AND I DIDN'T AUTHORIZE THIS NOR DID SHE GET THIS FROM OUR WEBSITE!". That was a lie on his part, I did get it from their website. I plan on calling LeFrak to advise of how he acted while my kids and I were sorting this out. May I say I finally had enough of him raising his voice at me in front of his staff and my kids. I told him to please refrain from speaking to me as such or I will contact their corporate office to file a formal complaint against him. He immediately calmed down, but the damage was done. My son was crying and my daughter was really upset. I pulled them aside to console them.
When I came out of the office location I was approached by the eventbrite coordinator that explained she told them the instructions to pass along to people like me who purchased ticket under "Let's Skate" that came inside for help.
After all was cleared up we ice skated and enjoyed 3 hours of laughs and fun. The trainers on ice are very patient. Even the people at the cafe are kind. Also, my son fell and got lip bleed and the nurse, Jessica was so kind and professional. She gave us a ice bag and instructions on what to do.
Let me break it down....
Pros:
Staff members other than Mike Schulman are a great help
Clean environment
Very patient with kids and parents
Great cafe
Good skates
Lost and found
Cons:
Mike Schulman
Website has Covid update but NOT updated on their phone voicemail
Vagrants in the restrooms sitting or sleeping
Do not leave your items unattended
I will go back, but I will pray I don't ever have contact with that vile manager again.