Planning Your Rink
 
 
HOW TO PLAN YOUR RESIDENTIAL ICE RINK


Private ice rinks are relatively new to most everyone. Here is useful information to help you choose the rink you want and to get it when you want it. Alternatively , please feel free to call Custom Ice anytime, toll free (866) 887-8840.
 
  1. START EARLY - We get very busy with outdoor ice rinks in the late summer and fall. To ensure your rink is ready to go in November we urge you to book it before the end of June each year. Permanent outdoor rinks (in concrete) are typically constructed in the spring and summer so it is wise to plan far ahead. Lead times vary with season and are 8-10 weeks in spring and summer, but 12-14 weeks in late summer and fall. Call Custom Ice and book well in advance before it's too late.

  2. DETERMINE THE SIZE - Custom ice will custom fit the rink to your available space and needs. While portable rinks can always be made bigger, permanent rinks cannot. When selecting a permanent rink, remember the kids will keep getting bigger. Portable rinks cannot only be enlarged; they can also be installed in concrete later. For families with smaller children (2-6 years), it may be better to start with a smaller portable "Roll-Out-Rink ™ and expand it later. Snow removal, ice maintenance, and installed costs are also important considerations when determining the size of rink best suited for you. See our "Choosing YOur Rink Size" bulletin to help you compare Custom Ice rink sizes. We also publish some optimum size rinks that best match the refrigeration equipment sizes. Call Custom Ice for budget pricing or simply to help you decide.

  3. FIND A LOCATION - Sometimes the choice is obvious, and other times there are many possibilities. If you are trying to decide the best location for your rink be sure to consider the following:

      a) A more level area will minimize ground leveling and excavation work
      b) A nearby or underground water line will reduce effort when flooding the rink
      c) Proximity to a warming area or skate change hut can be important
      d) Keeping away from large tree roots saves excavation work and prevents damage later
      e) If space permits, choose a suitable location off to the side rather than overpowering your yard with the rink in the middle
      f) Keep space on all sides for ground maintenance and snow removal


  4. ELECTRICAL POWER - IN smaller homes, older home or for larger rinks, your residential electrical service may need to be upgraded for the refrigeration equipment. Check with Custom Ice about the electrical needs of your preferred rink size and then have your electrician compare to what you have. Generally larger rinks require an electrical service upgrade and these costs can vary.

  5. CHECK WITH THE CITY/TOWN - Check with your local municipal permit or by-law office. Every town is different, but you would typically require at least one or more of the following.

      a) Electrical permit and inspection - for refrigeration equipment
      b) Construction permit - for permanent rink floors
      c) Building permit - for rink warming huts or change rooms
      d) Green space approval - for permanent concrete rinks replacing grass areas
      e) Environmental approval - if the rink antifreeze is an issue
      f) Something else - its always safe to check just in case

  6. BOOK YOUR RINK - ONce you have made the consideration above, call Custom Ice right away. During your planning, feel free to call us anytime to discuss your ice rink project. We are always glad to help. If we have not yet been to your ice rink site, a Custom Ice representative will come out to check the site conditions and help you plan your rink.


  7. DO YOUR PART TO STAY ON SCHEDULE - Whether your rink is part of a larger construction project or if it's just a small portable rink, it is very important to ensure the work performed by our customers or other contractors is always on schedule. If things like electrical work, ground and site specific work is accomplished on time, then your Custom Ice Rink will be too
We would be please to help you plan the ice rink of your dreams. Please, feel free to contact us with any question toll free @ (866) 887-8840



CHOOSING YOUR RINK SIZE

Custom Ice specializes in rinks of all shapes and sizes, and can install them virtually anywhere! We realize that private ice rinks are relatively new to most everyone, so here is some useful information to help you choose the rink size that is best suited for you. Alternatively, please feel free to call Custom Ice anytime, toll free 1-866-887-8840.
  1. CONSIDER WHAT THE RINK WILL BE USED FOR – Before choosing the size of your rink, it is important to consider what you would like to use the rink for.
  • Will it be strictly for the family to use as a recreational skating surface?
  • Will it be used to train the goalie in your family?
  • Do you want to be able to play 3 on 3 with your pals?
  • Would you like a rink in your local park for your community to enjoy?

These uses, and many others, will help to determine the size of the rink that you should consider.

  1. DETERMINE THE AVAILABLE SPACE – Custom Ice will custom fit your rink to your available space and needs.  While portable rinks can always be made bigger in future, permanent rinks cannot.  When planning for a permanent rink, consider what it will be used for and remember your kids will keep getting bigger. Portable rinks cannot only be enlarged; they can also be installed in concrete later.  For families with smaller children (2-6 years), it may be better to start with a smaller portable “Roll-Out-RinkTM” and expand it later. See the chart below for available sizes and suggestions.
 

Size

Availability

Comments

Less than 800sq.ft.

20’ x 40’ or smaller

Portable installed
Do-It-Yourself Kit
Pool Rinks
Indoors or Outdoors

Suitable for goalies to train and families with small children (ages 0 – 5yrs), or learning to skate. Small available area or possibly over inground pool

1400sq.ft. to 3200sq.ft.

28’ x 50’ to 40’ x 80’

Portable installed or Do-It-Yourself Kit
Permanent Sport Pad
Indoors or Outdoors

Suitable for training and families with young children (ages 6 – 18yrs) or kids 3 on 3 and recreation. Sport pad is suitable for basketball or pickle ball in summer.

3840sq.ft. to 7200sq.ft.

48’ x 80’ to 60’ x 120’

Portable installed
Permanent Sport Pad
Indoors or Outdoors

Suitable for training and families with young children (ages 6 – 18yrs) and adult 3 on 3 and recreation. Sport pad is suitable for basketball, lacrosse or tennis in summer

More than 7200sq.ft.

80’ x 180’ to 85’ x 200’

Portable installed
Permanent Sport Pad
Indoors or Outdoors

Suitable for communities and municipalities. Can be used for full hockey games or ball hockey and lacrosse in summer.
 
  1. FIND A SUITABLE LOCATION – Sometimes the choice is obvious, and other times you have the space available for many possibilities.  If you are trying to decide the best location for your rink be sure to consider the following:
    1. A more level area will minimize ground leveling and excavation work
    2. A nearby or underground water line will reduce effort when flooding the rink
    3. Proximity to a warming area or skate change hut can be important
    4. Keeping away from large tree roots saves excavation work and prevents damage later
    5. If space permits, choose a suitable location off to the side rather than overpowering your yard with the rink in the middle
    6. Keep enough space on all sides for ground maintenance and snow removal

 

  1. EXISTING SPACE vs. BUILDING OUT – When considering a rink indoors, try to find an existing clear span space that can be rented or leased to save on capital building costs. Building a building to house a rink can be extremely expensive. Custom Ice can help you research alternative options, such as fabric structures or steel buildings, and put you in touch with the right people.
  1. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS – Snow removal, ice maintenance, and installed costs are also important considerations when determining the size of rink best suited for you.

We would be pleased to help you plan the ice rink of your dreams.  Please, feel free to contact us with any questions toll free
@ (866) 887-8840.


PORTABLE vs. PERMANENT

Custom Ice can design, build and install the rink of your dreams. We can install portable or permanent refrigerated ice rink systems that can guarantee you 5 full months of real ice. Whether in your own private yard, or in the local community park, we would be happy to help design and build the ice rink system that suits your needs. Alternatively, please feel free to call Custom Ice anytime, toll free 1-866-887-8840.

PORTABLE ICE RINK SYTEMS – Before choosing the type of rink that you would like, it is important to consider your options. Custom Ice’s portable ice rink systems are ideal for those that have limited space and limited budgets. This is the most cost effective ice rink model. In this system, our chiller unit(s) are connected to our Portable Roll-Out-Rink™ piping grids that carry the refrigerant, or antifreeze liquid, called Glycol.

We refrigerate our smaller rinks with our 4-ton MiniMate™ refrigeration chillers and our larger rink with our 10-ton RinkMate™ Kit refrigeration chillers. Both of these chillers can operate on single phase (residential) power and are ideal for private backyard rinks. For rinks that are 1800sq.ft. or larger, we will use multiple 10-ton RinkMate™ chiller units or large packaged refrigeration units, similar to those you find in arenas.

The Roll-Out-Rink™ piping grids are then attached through a series of pipes and quick disconnects to create your refrigerated ice rink. In the spring and summer, these grids are disconnected from the chiller unit(s), rolled up, and stored away in dry protected area, affording you the use of your yard space again, without damaging your existing lawn or patio.

This system is modular and can be made larger, relocated or sold in future, making it ideal for indoor training rinks and for families that are still growing. It can also be upgraded to a permanent system later if desired.                       

PERMANENT ICE RINK SYSTEMS – While a permanent ice rink requires more of an investment, it also offers the benefits of year round functionality. This rink offers 5 months of guaranteed ice as well as the ability to be used for summer court sports in the summer or “off-season”.

The permanent system works in a similar way to the portable system, with all of the main components being the same. It utilizes the same refrigeration chillers and Roll-Out-Rink™ piping grids, along with the Glycol that is used as the refrigerant. The main difference between the portable and permanent systems is that the pipes in a permanent system are embedded in an engineered concrete slab or “court” before being connected to the chiller(s).

This concrete slab or “sport pad” is engineered specifically to house our Roll-Out-Rink™ piping grids and to offer year round functionality, without shifting or cracking with the extreme changes in temperature from one season to the next. By using reinforcing steel, wire mesh and a special concrete mix, Custom Ice can create a year round sport pad for you that will afford you and your family years of enjoyment and prevent unnecessary concrete or asphalt reparation costs, while increasing the value of your property much like an inground pool.

Another benefit to the permanent system is that you will be saving time on seasonal set up and take down costs and time. With the permanent system, you simply turn your chiller(s) on and flood the pad when the weather is cold enough and when the temperatures become consistently above 55°F, you simply shut the chiller(s) off, clean the court of any excess water and you are ready for basketball, ball hockey, lacrosse, tennis or any other “court” sport in summer.

When planning for a permanent rink, it is important to take the following considerations into account:

  • Permanent rinks cannot be made larger, relocated or removed in summer, as with the portable rink system
  • Consider what you will be using the rink for to determine the correct size
  • Remember your kids will keep getting bigger, so plan on a rink size that the kids can grow into
  • Remember to make sure that you do not need any special permits from your city/town for the installation
  • Find a suitable location off to the side rather than overpowering your yard with the rink and sport pad in the middle
  • Keep enough space on all sides of the pad for ground maintenance and snow removal

 

We would be pleased to help you with your plan for the ice rink of your dreams.  Please, feel free to contact us with any questions toll free @ (866) 887-8840.



MAINTAINING YOUR CUSTOM ICE RINK

Much like a natural ice rink, you will still need to properly maintain your Custom Ice rink on a regular basis to keep your ice looking and feeling great. Below you will find some simple steps to keeping your ice in terrific shape all season.

  1. Snow Removal – Just because your ice is refrigerated, doesn’t mean that your battles with Mother Nature are over. She will still be dropping snow on your rink and it will need to be removed in order for the ice to be resurfaced and utilized. The best way to do this is with a snow shovel and some old fashioned elbow grease! 

    We recommend using a steel or metal shovel to “scrape” the top layer of snow. This works best when the shovel is angled and you shovel from one side or end of the rink to the opposite side or end. You should always shovel in a consistent pattern either length wise or side ways. While “scraping”, it is advisable to wear ice skates as it ensures and promotes both strength and speed.

Snow removal should be accomplished in 2 steps:

  a) Shoveling back and forth continuously from one side or end to the other in rows, leaving the collected snow at the same opposite side or end perimeter.
  b) Snow should remain along the perimeter until all rows are completed. Once this is done, scrape any left over snow to the perimeter and remove this snow by lifting and throwing it to the outside of the rink or over the boards.
  1. Resurfacing Flood – Once you have cleared away all of the snow, you will need to resurface your ice to clean away any imperfections and prepare the rink for skating.

    Connect your Custom Ice Rink Flooder to the end of your garden hose. For the best possible results, we recommend using hot water. Make sure that the valve on the flooder is in the “OFF” position and turn on the water at its source.

    When you are ready, turn the valve on the flooder to the “ON” position and start walking or skating backwards, pulling the flooder along. Be sure to watch that the towel remains flat, ensuring even distribution of the water. It is best to flood in sections from side to side or end to end, back and forth continuously. Be sure to spread the water thinly and evenly as too much water will eventually cause the ice to become too thick, impeding the performance of the chiller(s).

 

SPECIAL WEATHER PROBLEMS

  1. Heavy Snow Fall

    • A snow blower may be required
    • It is best to shovel from the middle out to the perimeter
  1. Rain

    • It is best to turn your refrigeration equipment off during rainfall
    • Once the rain stops, use a Rain Shuttle or Squeegee to clear off any excess water through the machine gate or man gate
    • Once all excess water has been removed, the refrigeration equipment should be turned back on
  1. Ice Thickness Exceeds Optimum Level


    • Turn off the refrigeration equipment
    • Let the ice melt to an acceptable level, naturally
    • Use a Rain Shuttle or Squeegee to remove any excess water
    • Restart the refrigeration equipment

MAINTENANCE ACCESSORIES
               
Keeping an outdoor ice rink looking and performing well takes a lot of work.  Custom Ice maintenance products are designed to make owning an ice rink easier.

Our Custom Ice Rink Flooder comes in two easy to use sizes. Whether you choose the 36” or 48” wide version, the Rink Flooder is designed to place a smooth layer of water on the ice surface. With a shut of valve and water supply manifold at your fingertips, and towel and towel bar included, set up is already done for you. All you have to do is connect it to any common 3/4” garden hose and walk it around the ice for a clean, glass like surface.
 
Is there ice building up around your boards? Are you finding little “ice hills” on your rink caused by water dripping from that tree branch throughout the day? Instead of using your snow shovel, why not try the Custom Ice Ice Scraper. This easy to use 24” heavy weight steel blade is sharpened and     attached to a 5’ foot handle for effortless scraping of ice imperfections.

For those of you that have a Custom Ice Permanent Sports Pad in your yard or an existing tennis court that you flood each year, try our Custom Ice 48” Court Squeegee to quickly and easily remove  water from your court. Whether you are cleaning off the court after your spring shutdown or trying to remove the water after a recent rain fall, the Court Squeegee will make easy and effective.

Made from heavy duty materials, it comes complete with 48” rubber squeegee blade mounted on a wide wheel base, extending to a wide and easily maneuverable handle. Stop waiting for the court to dry and get out there and play!

If you find that you are having trouble maintaining your ice temperature and the surface seems softer than normal, your ice may be too thick and you may need to shave it down. The Custom Ice T-18 Ice Shaver is ideal for this situation. This 10.5 horse power, electric start precise cutting       machine, has six (6) classic carbide cutting blades, four (4) 6” wheels for stability and                     maneuverability, fully adjustable cutter height for removal up to 3/8” and directs ice chips toward the center of the rink for resurfacer to collect or easy shovel removal.
 
The Custom Ice RinkRover™ Ice Resurfacer simplifies and speeds up ice maintenance to give you more time to enjoy your rink! A 48” wide blade assembly scrapes the ice and collects snow and ice chips to clean the surface prior to laying water. A 48” water dispensing bar distributes water evenly and the flooding towel helps to create a smooth and shiny surface. The ultimate ice rink maintenance machine!

Call us today toll free 1-866-887-8840!!


Custom Ice Training Rinks

Why is there a growing trend toward reduced-size rinks for training and recreational purposes?

Financial success items:

  • Lower building costs; lower debt service
  • Lower maintenance costs
  • Lower operating costs
  • Higher revenues per square foot
  • Greater possibility for investor participation
  • In-house programs require smaller groups
  • Year-round learn-to-skate for pre-school children and adult beginners
  • Spring/Summer 3-on-3 tournaments
  • Winter 3-on-3 leagues, supplemental to current youth leagues, increases revenue per hour
  • Summer day youth programs

Demand

  • Satisfies the excess demand for ice time at a lower cost
  • Youngest players begin their development on smaller ‘age-appropriate’ rinks
  • Smaller groups are more conducive for skill development

(i.e. higher instructor-to-player ratio)

  • 3-on-3 hockey ensures each player is more involved and handles puck more often
  • Simulates ‘high traffic’ situations- players are forced to ‘read and react’ much faster
  • Puck-handling skills are challenged by confined spaces; players must develop quick hands and superior skating edge control
  • Promotes puck protection techniques; puck positioning and strength on stick
  • Lateral skating ability, a trait that all top players possess, becomes a priority

Age-appropriate Training Rinks

Virtually every sport that young children become involved with has age-appropriate training or leisure facilities.

  • Football: 7 players instead of 11 (smaller than regulation-sized)
  • Soccer: 7 players instead of 11 (smaller than regulation-sized)
  • Basketball: 3 on 3 on smaller courts with adjustable height rims
  • Baseball: All distances are shorter (i.e. bases, outfield, pitcher)
  • Golf: Par-3 or executive golf courses

Currently, hockey lags other sports in the availability of age-appropriate facilities. The following list gives examples of some age-appropriate rink sizes that 3-on-3 games are played on.

Rink Type
Sample Rink Dimensions
Youth
50’ x 100’       (5000 sq. ft.)
Junior
60’ x 120’       (7200 sq. ft.) 
Full-size
65’ x 140’        (9100 sq. ft.)

Comparatively, the following rink dimensions illustrate the most common rink sizes developed:

NHL                                                                            85’ x 200’   (17,000)
)Olympic                                                                    100’ x 200’ (20,000 sq. ft.)


   
 
 

Copyright © CUSTOM ICE INC. 2006
Toll Free: 866.887.8840
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