Winter Fun 2011

How to make a skating rink

Making a skating rink is not all that complicated.

There are several advantages to having your own skating rink. You could:

teach your children to skate
organize exciting hockey games with your friends
have fun performing your best figure skating moves
above all, you can go skating more often, longer and whenever you wish

In addition, maintaining your rink will give you some exercise and allow you to burn off some energy, which is also part of the fun of winter.

So take out your drawing board and shovels, and let’s get down to work!

Choose the location

Carefully determine where you want the rink to be located. Find a flat surface near a source of water and electricity, which will enable you to skate at night and even to your favourite music.

It is best to choose a concrete or grassy surface. You can also choose an asphalt surface. However, in this case, make sure to add a layer of gravel since the asphalt absorbs the sun’s heat, thus making the ice less durable.

A solid base for a high-quality surface

Preparing the base is a very important step, as the quality of the ice depends on it.
Pack down a base of approximately 10 cm of snow using a shovel, a lawn roller or any other suitable device.
To prevent the sun’s heat from damaging the ice, surround the rink with a snow bank at least 60 cm wide.

Regular watering makes a good rink

The key to success is simple: seal the base by applying several thin layers of water using a hose with a fine spray nozzle. Water the rink in widthwise strips, until you have flooded the entire base.
Once the first layer is frozen, water again to obtain a second layer of ice. Repeat the operation until your ice is 6 to 10 cm thick.
Be careful not to spray the same spot for too long, because holes will form and your ice will be uneven and bumpy.
The ideal watering temperature is between -7 C and -18°C.
In general, the milder it is, the finer the spray of water should be. Too much water in mild weather will also result in a bumpy surface.

Good maintenance for a long-lasting rink

If the ice cracks, fill the cracks with snow rather than water.
The resurfacing layers will require less and less water.

This simple guide will help you build a skating rink that meets your family's needs.

Of course, if your rink is not quite ready or if warm weather has damaged the ice, don’t deprive yourself of the joys of skating: go to your local skating rink or arena.