Tips on how to build an easy ice rink w/ plastic!!?

Question

Any ideas on how to build an ice rink?? I just got a pair of skates last year and i wanted to use them w/o having to go into town and pay to skate. I have plastic to use. Also...do i need side board or can i do w/o?? Thanks!

Answer 1

I tried to build an ice rink last year and omg, it was not easy.

I bought one of those kits to make one and it was flimsy and totally unusable.

theres a few things you need to ask before you even consider building an ice rink.

Is the place you want to build it level. (there can be a few inches maybe up to 5 difference)

measure this using a level thingy (there like a few dollars) and string

Is it cold enough where you live for the ice to freeze?? for ice to freeze it must be below freezing for at least 3 days and stay cold for consistent ice?

do you have the time to build, water, and shovel snow off of a rink?

this site has great instructions on how to build it:

rinkrake.com

oh and if you pour water onto just plastic with no sides the water will fall off into the snow.

Answer 2

woah. well i dont know but i am interested in this question. tell me if you get a good answer!

Answer 3

I have successfully 'built' an ice rink this year for the first time - I scoured the net for help and found the best info here http://www.hpurchase.com/cmatheson03.htm

I finally settled on a hybrid of all that i found at the web site and bought a 30'X100' roll of 8 mil plastic sheeting at a local hardware place, 14 sheets of 4'X8'X3/4" plywood, 14 2X4X10' boards and cut them to suite a hockey style rink.  

First - find a level spot - you can have a variance of up to about 10" from one end to the other - any more and you're asking for trouble!  Set up your frame/boards, lay out the plastic sheeting as smoothly as possible, fill the entire surface so that your shallowest end is no less than 2" of ice, freeze, and enjoy.  Get a good shovel with a metal edge and a good push broom to keep it clean.  Flood it about twice a week and pray for below freezing weather.  about 5-15 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal for flooding.  

Good luck - we love it and will make a BIGGER one next year!