Question: How To Make An Outdoor Ice Rink?

How do you make an outdoor snow rink?

In order to make ice, you simply pack snow, flood the snow surface with water and allow it to freeze. You can make this traditional backyard ice rink with or without boards. I recommend building your rink using boards even with a traditional backyard ice rink, especially for those families who want to play hockey.

How much does it cost to build an outdoor ice rink?

Ideally, ice skating rinks save money by buying or renting a location in a commercial real estate area. According to the Ice Skating Institute, the cost for a single surface ice skating arena is between $2 and $4 million, while a twin surface ice skating area costs between $5 and $7 million.

Will backyard ice rink kill grass?

A simple backyard ice skating rink creates a wonderful way to spend active time with the family during the cold winter months. When properly constructed, a backyard skating rink will not kill the grass on your turf lawn —a common fear.

Can you make an ice rink on grass?

As long as you time your outdoor rink properly, your lawn won’t be any worse for the wear once you pull up the rink in early spring. The reason is that once temperatures are consistently below 50 degrees, perennial grasses go dormant and won’t die when exposed to long-term darkness and weight.

Do ice rinks have good ventilation?

All recreational facilities including ice arenas should use good ventilation practices especially when children are present. It is critical that indoor air quality is protected particularly when using fuel-burning equipment such as ice resurfacers indoors.

How do I keep my backyard ice rink frozen?

To keep the ice cold enough for skaters, the rink uses a minus-5-degree chiller, which is essentially a very large refrigerator that runs for 24 hours a day. “It’s the machine that keeps the ice frozen,” said Rachel Radawec, placemaking and community engagement manager for the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

Are ice rinks profitable?

That money can come from wealthy investors, non-profit organizations or taxpayers. Only rarely does it come from actual profits generated by operation of the rink. There are profitable rinks, but they are few and far between. There is one common thread among profitable rinks.

Can you use a blue tarp for an ice rink?

There are a two reasons that tarp color can influence the quality of your ice rink. First, the darker the color, the more sunlight it absorbs. This can cause your rink to melt on sunnier days. Second, typical blue and green tarps you would find at a sporting goods store are known to damage grass beyond repair.

How do you flood an outdoor rink in a lake?

Flood the rink at night, when it’s clear and the air is still (wind can cause ripples to form), and use only a thin layer of water, just enough to fill in blade grooves. Of course, make sure the ice is thick enough before you start tromping around on it.

How thick should ice be for backyard rink?

A backyard ice rink doesn’t have to freeze solid to skate. Usually 4” of ice is enough to go ahead and skate.