Have you ever stopped to wonder how a hockey rink is created? The transformation of a flat, empty surface to a perfectly frozen sheet of ice capable of hosting a professional level hockey game is an incredible feat.
In this article, well take you through the complete process of building a hockey rink, from measuring and marking the ice surface all the way to setting up the ice for play.
So, if youve ever wondered how they put a hockey rink together, youve come to the right place.
Read on to find out!
Table of Contents
Short Answer
A hockey rink is typically made up of a flat, rectangular sheet of ice that is maintained at a temperature of about 16F.
The ice is usually made from a mixture of water and other elements and is sprayed onto the rink’s concrete base.
The rink is then lined with boards to contain the ice and to protect the players from going off the ice surface.
The rink is also marked with lines and circles to indicate the rink’s dimensions and to indicate the different areas of the rink.
Finally, the rink is often surrounded by safety nets to protect spectators.
What is Involved in Building a Hockey Rink?
Building a hockey rink is no small feat.
It requires a lot of planning and hard work to ensure everything is done correctly.
Here is a step-by-step guide outlining all the necessary steps to put together a quality hockey rink.
The first step is to measure and mark the ice surface according to regulation size.
This is important to make sure all areas of the rink are within regulation size.
Once the size is determined, boards and glass are installed around the perimeter of the rink.
This helps to contain the ice and keep it at a consistent temperature.
The next step is to install a refrigeration and heating system.
This system helps to keep the ice frozen and the surface smooth.
The system works by circulating a mixture of water and chemicals around the rink.
This mixture helps keep the ice at a constant temperature and prevents it from melting or getting too hard.
Once the system is installed, the next step is to flood the ice with a special mixture of water and chemicals.
This mixture helps create a smooth, even layer of ice.
The water is then allowed to freeze and the ice is ready for play.
Finally, the rink is painted with lines and markers to designate the various areas of the rink.
This includes the goal crease, face-off circles, and the neutral zone.
After the painting is complete, the rink is finally ready for play.
Putting together a hockey rink is a long and tedious process.
But with the right planning and hard work, the end result is a quality hockey rink that is ready for play.
Measuring and Marking the Ice Surface
Putting together a hockey rink is no small task. It requires careful planning and a lot of hard work to make sure everything is up to regulation size and quality. The process begins with measuring and marking the ice surface according to regulation size. The exact size of the rink will depend on the level of play, but generally, a regulation hockey rink is 200 feet long and 85 feet wide. The rink is divided into three sections: the neutral zone, the offensive zone, and the defensive zone. To mark the surface, the rink builders will use a special metal device called a tape measure. This device is placed at the center of the rink and is used to measure and mark the exact size of the rink. Once the size is determined, the rink builders will use a line burner to draw the lines that will define the three sections. The line burner uses a heated wire to melt the ice and create a smooth line on the surface. This line will be used to separate the neutral zone from the offensive and defensive zones.
Installing the Boards and Glass
Installing the boards and glass around the perimeter of the hockey rink is an important step in the process of setting up the rink.
This step requires careful planning and a team of experienced professionals who know how to properly measure and install the boards and glass.
In order to ensure that the boards and glass are installed properly, the team must first measure the rink according to regulation size.
Once the size is determined, the boards and glass can be cut to the correct size and installed using special tools and hardware.
The boards and glass are then mounted on the ice surface and secured in place.
The boards and glass provide a barrier between the rink and the spectators, which helps to keep players and spectators safe during play.
The boards and glass also serve to keep the ice from melting, which helps to keep the ice surface smooth.
After the boards and glass are installed, the next step is to install the refrigeration and heating system.
Refrigeration and Heating Systems
Putting together a hockey rink requires a lot of planning and hard work, and one of the most important components of this process is the installation of the refrigeration and heating system.
This system helps keep the ice frozen and the surface smooth, and is essential for the proper functioning of the rink.
The refrigeration and heating system consists of pipes that run underneath the ice surface, connected to a refrigeration plant located outside the rink.
The pipes are filled with a refrigerant that is circulated throughout the rink to cool the ice and maintain a consistent temperature.
In addition to keeping the ice frozen, the refrigeration and heating system also helps keep the surface smooth by preventing the formation of bumps and cracks.
The refrigeration and heating system is designed to maintain a temperature of around 18 degrees Celsius, which allows the ice to remain solid and smooth.
In order to ensure that the system is functioning properly, it must be regularly maintained and serviced.
This includes regular inspections of the pipes, filters, and other components to ensure that they are all in good working order.
The installation of a refrigeration and heating system is one of the most important steps in putting together a hockey rink, and it takes a lot of skill and knowledge to ensure that it is installed correctly.
By following the proper steps, a rink can be kept in top condition for years to come.
Flooding the Ice
Once the boards and glass are installed around the perimeter of the rink, the next step in putting together a hockey rink is flooding the ice.
This process involves using a special mixture of water and chemicals to create a smooth, even layer of ice.
The mixture is applied to the surface of the rink with specially designed hoses and pumps.
The amount of water used in the flooding process depends on the size and shape of the rink, as well as the desired thickness of the ice.
In order to keep the ice frozen, a refrigeration and heating system must be installed before flooding the ice.
The flooding process is divided into several stages, each designed to create a specific type of ice.
The first stage is called cold flooding and is used to create a base layer of ice.
Cold flooding involves spraying a mixture of water and chemicals onto the rink surface and allowing it to freeze.
This layer of ice should be at least inch thick and should be free of any air bubbles or other imperfections.
The next stage is called hot flooding and involves spraying hot water onto the surface of the rink.
This process helps to create a smooth, even layer of ice and helps to fill in any imperfections that may have been left behind by the cold flooding process.
Finally, the ice is finished off with a scraping process, which involves scraping away any excess water and creating an even, level surface.
Once the flooding process is complete, the ice is ready to be used for hockey.
However, it is important to note that the ice must be maintained regularly in order to keep it in top condition.
This includes resurfacing the ice periodically and ensuring that the refrigeration and heating system are functioning properly.
With proper care and maintenance, the ice at a hockey rink can last for many years, providing a safe and enjoyable playing surface for the sport.
Creating a Smooth, Even Layer of Ice
Creating a smooth and even layer of ice is one of the most important steps when putting together a hockey rink.
To do this, a special mixture of water and specialized chemicals are used.
This mixture helps to maintain the ice temperature and keep it from melting or becoming too soft during play.
The water is then carefully flooded onto the ice surface, usually in multiple layers.
Each layer is allowed to freeze before the next layer is added.
This helps to ensure that the ice is as even and smooth as possible.
Once the flooding is complete, the ice is scraped and resurfaced to create the desired texture and surface quality.
The ice is then ready for play.
Setting Up the Ice for Play
Once the rink has been properly measured and the boards and glass have been installed, the next step in putting together a hockey rink is to install the refrigeration and heating system.
This system helps keep the ice frozen and the surface smooth for play.
It consists of a compressor unit, a network of pipes, and a series of fans and heaters.
The compressor unit is responsible for cooling the rink by circulating refrigerant through the pipes and cooling the ice.
The fans and heaters help keep the temperature consistent while the ice is being flooded.
Once the refrigeration and heating system is installed, the ice can be flooded with a special mixture of water and chemicals.
This mixture helps to create a smooth, even layer of ice that is ready for play.
The process of flooding the ice typically begins with a shallow layer of water which is then smoothed and frozen with a Zamboni machine.
Afterwards, a second, deeper layer of water is flooded over the ice and then frozen.
This process is repeated until the desired thickness of the ice is reached.
Once it is frozen, the ice is ready for play.
Final Thoughts
Putting together a hockey rink is a complex process that requires planning and hard work.
From measuring the ice surface to adding the boards and glass, to flooding the ice and creating a smooth, even layer, the process requires skill and expertise.
Now that you know the steps involved in putting together a hockey rink, you can use this knowledge to create your own rink, or to learn more about the sport.
So, grab your skates and get ready to hit the ice!