Backyard
Ice Rink thanks you for checking out our site on how to
make a rink. There are two basic kinds of rinks for outdoor
use other than the kind that use a refrigerant. These backyard
ice rinks are dependant on Mother Nature and unless you
have an unlimited budget this is the kind for you. Following
this liner and boards method is the backyard ice rink we
call the old fashion style where you flood the snow and
allow a freeze......but for now we will discuss the liner
and board method we have come to love. Why you ask??
(click
for larger image)
Here are the advantages
of using a liner and developing boards to hold
the liner in place . 1.) You can pour much water
inside the perimeter and assuming there are no
punctures in your liner. A freeze will take place
and you will have a pretty darn good surface in
a short period of time . 2.) I f you have a melt
as is very possible at sometime during your skating
season the surface and edges and maybe the whole
thing will melt and re freeze but not disappear.
3) You have not wasted all your hard earned time
and money to see your rink melt away during a thaw
due to it being held in place by boards and liner.
4.)The length of your skating season is possibly
longer, because once you are set up and you allow
a freeze you are done. You could be skating sooner
because you don t have to wait until it gets cold
to start. 5.) You can do this set up in November
while the temperature is still above freezing and
not freeze your butt off in January while spending
copious time outside. 6.) The length of time you
do spend to get a quality surface is minimal and
generally done in about 4-8 hours depending on
how complex and how large you build your rink.This
compares to 36 - 48 hours the old fashioned way
while you stomp snow and sprinkle and freeze and
fill in uneven areas and repeat process again and
again. Not many of us have that much time.
Here
is the liner and board description simplified:
1.)
Firstly start by checking out your property and decide where
you want to put your outdoor rink.
2.)
Check to see how level it is!! This is a must. Get a line
level or transit and find out . Do not confuse the words
flat and level. Do not under estimate how important this
is!!!! Don't look at your site and assume you are
good to go. Many rink builders better than you have been
fooled by how their site appears to be level because
it is flat.
3.)
Your backyard rink size may now have changed if your property
is not very level. What is not level? If you find one end
is higher or lower than the other by more than 8 inches
(which means you will need 2"x10"s as your frame)
you may need to reconsider your rink building dream or at
least re consider the size.
Here
are your options for your rink if you are out one end to
the other by more than 8". A) Build your frame wider.B)
Put some topsoil in place on the end or side where you see
the lowest point.C) Build the side or end higher in its
entirety (not just the area where the frame will go) or
have the yard graded by a professional. D) Build your rink
the old way with spraying snow and packing snow and re spraying
and filling in low areas with more snow. Its lots of work!!
Click on the link below for points 4 and 5 re: liner and
board method and information on building on the ground with
snow and water spray.
Part
Two building your rink on the ground with snow and water...
Some
Helpful Hockey links!
For Hockey skills: www.puckmasters.com
For Rink making Assistance: www.backyardrink.com
For AllStar Hockey Trivia: Click
Here!
For NHL News and Info: www.NHL.com
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