Building Your Own Backyard Hockey Rink

A backyard skating rink can be immense fun for your family and friends.  Envision being the first to do laps around the freshly flooded ice, and having the skating rink all to yourself.  Envision the shrieks and excitement emanating from your children's pick-up hockey game.  If you've never built a rink before, you have the option of either purchasing a backyard skating rink kit, or to build it yourself from scratch.  This article will offer step-by-step instructions on how to facilitate the process, should you decide to do it completely yourself.

The initial thing you have to do is to plan out the dimensions for your skating rink.  When sizing your ice rink, be sure to account for the shape and slope of your yard.  Keep in mind that the amount of work required to maintain the rink rises proportionally with the size of the skating rink.

The quickest way to build a skating rink is to flood your backyard with a hose.  However, this is not the most efficient method of forming an ice surface since the temperature over the winter tends to vary (and can often rise above sub-zero temperatures).  After warmer days, the ice will melt and, without a liner, the rink will have to be completely reflooded again.  Therefore, constantly flooding your backyard may require a sufficient amount of maintenance.  Alternatively, a tarp/liner can be used as an insulator between the ground and the ice sheet.  During warm bouts, it will keep the water within the rink, and it makes spring clean-up much more manageable.

Before you head out to the hardware store to purchase your materials, decide whether or not you want to add rink boards to your shopping list.  You will need to purchase wood if you wish your rink to be completely surrounded by boards.  Half-inch deck screws can be utilized to fasten the side and end boards together.  You can purchase a polyethylene liner from various online stores, or you can even improvise, by purchasing a pond liner from a gardening center.

After you've purchased the required materials, clear out an area that is larger than the desired ice surface, and lay out the lumber in the appropriate locations to create the frame for your rink.  Use the deck screws to fasten the wooden boards together, and either stake the boards into the ground (or backfill with snow) to prevent movement.  After the frame has been completed, spread the liner over the entire skating rink surface and drape the ends of the liner over the ends of the boards.  Fasten the liner ends to the boards either by using nails, tape, or wrapping it around the back of the boards.  Now you're ready to slowly fill your rink with water!

When you're surfacing the ice, be sure not to over-flood the rink because too much water can cause the water to freeze in slivers. Instead, slowly form the rink by applying repeatedly thin layers.  Use cold water to up the ice depth. Hot water, on the other hand,  makes for a stronger, smoother ice surface. Hot water floods are recommended prior to skating.

You have now assembled your very own skating rink!  Keep in mind, however, that skating rinks require constant maintenance.  You'll need to routinely flood your skating rink throughout the winter to maintain a thick, yet smooth ice surface. It is recommended that you flood your rink in the evening when no snow is falling, because the wind tends to be more subdued and the temperatures tend to be colder.

When it starts to thaw, most of the water will evaporate over a few days. If you still have a lot of water, however, you can open up the rink and slowly let the water drain out. Carefully take the skating rink apart, dry off all the parts and and roll up the liner. Although the grass is dormant over the winter, the grass can be damaged if the liner is left out too long, after the winter is over.  Make sure to remove the liner before spring sets in.  If you store all your components in your shed, you re-use all the parts for the next winter season!