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When Stacey Foster began managing Steamboat Springs' ice rink, it was outdoors with no roof and had about 80 users.

Seventeen years later, Foster manages one of the top indoor ice rinks in the state. It is used by more than 600 players and has hosted the USA Woman's Olympic Team on the team's last stop before the Salt Lake City games.

Foster, whose last day with the city was Friday, has seen much growth in the building of the ice arena and ice hockey teams and ice skaters.

She is leaving her position as the Howelsen Ice Arena manager to become the general manager at the yet-to-be built ice rink and seven-field complex in Park City, Utah. The move is a good fit for the work she has done since moving to Steamboat to work for the city.

"It's a chance to take a step up," Foster said.

Before becoming the ice rink manager, Foster was the recreation supervisor for the city, which meant managing the outdoor ice rink. Five years ago, Foster became the official ice rink manager and was the construction manager for the remodel to the ice arena.

Under her supervision, the ice arena added a lobby, new refrigeration system, dasher boards, heated bleachers and locker rooms. The rustic-log lobby was the next to last phase of the newly remodeled ice arena and houses the front desk for admissions and skate rentals, offices and an open space area.

The city has a final phase of the project. Foster said she had anticipated staying for the completion of the remodel project.

In Park City, part of Foster's job will be overseeing the construction of the ice rink.

"I didn't think I would be building another rink in my life," Foster said.

Foster, who started playing ice hockey at age 38 after coming to Steamboat, said she is excited to leave behind such an established women's program.

Foster helped create the first woman's team, Chicks with Sticks, and put together the first girls league in Colorado. Utah has only three girls teams, and Foster is looking forward to increasing that number when she goes to Park City.

One of the major highlights of Foster's career was having the USA woman's ice hockey team hold practice sessions at the city's ice arena in the days just before the 2002 Winter Olympics. The team came just after the completion of the second-phase of the remodel.

"We had just finished the two locker rooms. We were mopping the floor of the locker rooms when the bus was pulling up," Foster said.

Foster also saw the growth of the recreation department during her tenure at the city. When she started, there was one recreation employee and a $90,000 annual budget. By the time she left the department, it had grown to six employees and a $1 million annual budget.

Director of Parks, Open Space and Recreational Services Chris Wilson said the city will miss Foster.

The city has started advertising for the open ice rink manger position.

As for ever returning to Steamboat, Foster said, it is not out of the question.

"Everyone talks about the Yampa Valley curse," she said. "I'm gone, but may come back."

-- To reach Christine Metz call 871-4229 or e-mail cmetz@steamboatpilot.com