Constructing a homemade ice rink is possible even if there is no pond on the property. In addition, having a backyard skating rink puts a whole new spin on quality time spent with family. Statistics show that of teenagers asked in the United States, 67% would really enjoy spending more time with their parents, and ice skating is a great way to spend hours together not only having fun, but exercising and building strength as well.
There are several steps to building a backyard ice rink. The size of the rink will, of course, depend upon the size of the yard as well as how big the homeowner wants to go. Constructing a backyard skating rink is not difficult; however, there will be ongoing maintenance involved, a fact which will need to be kept in the forefront. There are, in fact, different ideas about how to make a homemade ice rink. No one way is right and no one way is wrong. A lot depends on the surface the rink will sit on and on the supplies that will be used.
After deciding how large the homemade ice rink should be, the perimeter should be measured out. A small gutter will be dug, just deep enough to fit the piping that needs to line the perimeter. Once the piping is cut to size, it is inserted in the gutters, and joined at the corners with extra piping held out for just that reason. After placing the piping around the perimeter, it should be staked to the ground. The next step is to place a tarp over the piping and secure it with some kind of weight, such as bricks or cinder blocks. Ice rink tarps can be a tarp used for any purpose as long as it is durable and made for all types of weather. The space should not be filled with water until the first deep freeze, simply because that kind of freezing cold will enable the homemade ice rink to freeze from the bottom. Freezing from the bottom will give the rink a solid foundation which will keep the water in check just in case of any leaks. Four to six inches of water is the norm for filling a backyard ice rink. When the water is frozen, it is time to skate.
A backyard ice rink is a perfect way to provide kids with a lot of fun activities throughout the winter months. Whether or not children and teens participate in organized sports, almost everyone loves to ice skate. There are an unlimited number of games and activities that can be safely played on the ice; not to mention that ice skating is a great way for kids to get together with friends and stay busy for hours. Many young people who participate in some kind of sports, about 71%, have admitted that they would not care if there was no score kept during their games. What they are interested in is having fun and spending time with their friends and family doing something they love to do. Another study has concluded that 65% of teens actually do participate in sports activities in order to spend the time with friends.
As mentioned earlier, homemade ice rinks require ongoing maintenance for the life of the rink, which, if outdoors, will only be throughout the coldest winter months. The ice must be swept and kept free of anything that would interrupt smooth skating. The more it is used, the rougher the ice will become. Removing ice chips and snow from the ice is also important to avoid any unnecessary injury.
Constructing a backyard ice hockey rink is not much different than building an ice skating rink for other activities. Because a backyard is not typically as large as a regulation rink used for ice hockey, the perimeters of the rink can only be as big as the yard allows it to be. Decisions will need to be made about whether or not to uproot trees and bushes or to forget about the patio or deck that may have been in the works as well!