[creeper]

Rink building amateur style

This project will proceed with the co-operating winter temps.

Decide on the size of your rink. Keep in mind the regular winter maintenance will now be like shoveling 2 driveways. Except you have to scrape off that last inch or two.

Mine will be approx 75' x 30'

Start at the highest point on the lawn. It is much easier to raise your boards up to level then it is to dig out the ground.

Pound in the first stake. Remember to pound in deep enough that the stake does not show above the board. Dangerous to fall on and hard on the tarp. Drill it to the board.

The force of water and ice is enormous so be sure to attach stakes at the ends of each board and one in the middle. Make sure your boards are level

 

[creeper]

Continue on around the perimeter. We are not making fine furniture here, A rough frame is good enough. The borders will be covered with snow banks anyway.

The gaps underneath will be filled in with cheap fence boards and the low spots will be built up to accomodate the extra depth of water. In my case the difference will be at least 8- 10 inches.

 

[shadytrake]

Now that is an interesting project.

 

[creeper]

Post boards and tarp are the next step. As well as tips to avoid shell ice

 

[creeper]

Although the yard appears flat, you can see how uneven it really is by the space underneath some of the boards.

I will fill in the underneath gaps with fence boards.

In order to fill one end to a minimum depth of two inches, the low end will take 8-10 inches of water. Add another board across the top and don't forget to leave enough tarp to accomodate the height.

 

[creeper]

Wait until you are ready to start filling before laying the tarp.

The tarp should be white or clear to reflect the sun.

Any leaves imbedded in the ice will cause the ice to melt. That spot will become a tripping hazard.

Don't fill until the sub zero temps are consistent for a few days. Fill only a few inches deep at a time. Let it freeze solid before adding another layer

If its extremely cold fill the rink in one session otherwise the second layer may not stick to the first layer and you could end up with shell ice.

 

[gma2rjc]

This is cool. I can't wait to see it filled. Thanks for posting the pics Jan.

Do you do this every year?

Since when do people up in Canada play hockey? :whistling2:

 

[creeper]

Thanks Barb. This is only my second year, but I learned alot the first time. This one is huge. I may be too tired to skate after clearing it off all the time.

Speaking of hockey. The good news about the strike is that for the first time the Toronto Maple Flops haven't lost a game all season. Jokes

Resist the urge to paint blue lines on the tarp or ice. The sun will be attracted to those spots.

If the deep cold doesn't set in before Christmas, I have a feeling Santa may stop by Costco for a really cool net with extended webbing so that mothers with lousy aim don't send the puck flying out of bounds.

Trudging through the snow with skates on can be a bit of a challenge.

 

[gma2rjc]

I forgot about there being no hockey on tv this year.

Do the kiddo's help keep the ice rink clear?

 

[creeper]

Do the kiddo's help keep the ice rink clear?

:laughing: You say funny things Barb.

No they just skuff it up. Then while I stay out to flood it for a nice smooth surface for the next day, they go in and skuff up the inside.

 

[rossfingal]

creeper -
Do you have to run the Zamboni!?!

 

[creeper]

Why Yes, yes I do . Thats the best part.

Its a hand held one with its own shut off valve. I hook it up to the hose and run it to the laundry room.

Hot water works best. It really smooths out any gouges made from blades.

But we've gotten ahead of ourselves. I will post about that, with pictures in the near future.

 

[rossfingal]

Wow!
Work, parenting, and, now - a "Zamboni"!
That's what I call "multitasking"!

(One question - you did get a permit? -didn't you?!?)

 

[creeper]

Thanks for getting it Rossi.

There is definitely mulitple things going on. Always.

Thank goodness for my daytimer.:yes:

Now only if my head will stop spinning long enough to write stuff down in it:laughing:

...Just looked in it. I have to be in two places at the same time this am....oops

 

[rossfingal]

Thanks for getting it Rossi.

There is definitely mulitple things going on. Always.

Thank goodness for my daytimer.:yes:

Now only if my head will stop spinning long enough to write stuff down in it:laughing:

...Just looked in it. I have to be in two places at the same time this am....oops

"Head spinning"!!!
Now you sound like Linda Blair in the movie "Exorcist"!
(I like "pea-soup"!)
Can we get some video?!?

 

[danny325is]

Wow, very interesting. I was expecting to see someone who had drainage problems in their back yard, not a real Ice Rink.

 

[creeper]

Back boards installed on one side. OSB painted white.

All we need is some cold temps and the tarp will be installed.

Make sure the grass is free of all small twigs and stones that could puncture the tarp. If the tarp does get a small tear, red tuck tape will do the trick (hopefully). Be sure to cover the red tape with white duct tape or the red will attract the sun

 

[rossfingal]

creeper
Doesn't look too bad!
However, there are some places -
it looks like you're a 1/16th to 1/8th inch off!
(Could be a "Red-Flag" - code violation!!)
Make sure you've got enough Hot Cocoa, Marsh mellows, Peppermint
Schnapps -
(I'm sure it can be "over-looked"!)

"RF"

 

[creeper]

I know it sticks out like a sore thumb, but you did see the disclaimer that we are not being precise.

A little tap with the sledge will fix that, but its not worth the trip to the garage. The tarp and snow will cover all that.

 

[rossfingal]

Looks alright to me!
No snow up there?!?
No snow down here, either!?!
Hope this isn't the "proverbial", calm before the storm!!!

Happy Holidays!