How to Build the Perfect Home Ice Rink

Building a backyard ice rink can be a fun and rewarding winter project for any hockey or skating enthusiast. It can also provide a great way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors during the colder months. However, building the perfect home ice rink is no easy feat, and there are many factors to consider before getting started. If you’re considering building a new home ice rink from scratch, or converting an existing backyard court to an ice rink, keep reading to understand what you need to prepare for installation. 

How to Build the Perfect Home Ice Rink

Decide on Size

A home ice rink can be any size you want, depending on the space you have available. When planning, you’ll want to choose a level, open area that is large enough to accommodate your desired rink size.  

The regulation size for hockey rinks, from the NHL to college and junior hockey, is 200 feet by 85 feet. An Olympic-sized figure skating rink is typically 196.85 feet by 98.43 feet. In other words, if you’re hoping to install a full-size regulation ice rink, you’ll need a lot of space. Keep in mind that the larger the rink, the more work and resources it will require to maintain and keep the ice in good condition. Make decisions about the size of your rink based on the space available and the time and money you want to spend caring for your rink.

Gather Materials

Once you’ve chosen the location and size of your rink, the next step is to gather the necessary materials. You’ll need a liner, boards, and some form of ice resurfacer (such as a snowblower or hand resurfacer). You’ll also need to purchase or gather materials for the dasher boards (the walls surrounding the rink), as well as any additional equipment such as goals, lighting, and benches.

Start Building

Once you have all of your materials ready, it’s time to start building. The first step is to lay out the liner and secure it to the ground using stakes or weights. Next, you’ll want to install the dasher boards, making sure they are level and secure. Once the boards are in place, you’ll need to fill the rink with water, using a hose or other water source. Be sure to fill the rink slowly and evenly, to prevent any areas from becoming too thin or too deep.

After the rink is filled with water, you’ll need to wait for it to freeze. This can take several days, depending on the weather and the size of your rink. Once the ice is frozen, you’ll need to maintain it by shoveling off snow, flooding the surface with water to create a new layer of ice, and using an ice resurfacer to smooth out any rough spots.

While building a backyard ice rink can be a fun and rewarding project, it’s important to keep in mind that it requires a lot of time, effort, and resources to maintain and keep the ice in good condition. 

If you’re not up for the task, or if you don’t have the space or resources to build a rink on your own, consider hiring a professional company like New England Courts to handle the installation. We can build a backyard ice rink from scratch, or convert an existing sport court into an ice rink or roller rink. 

Are you ready to design your perfect home ice rink? New England Courts offers residential and commercial athletic courts for both indoor and outdoor use, and we’ve been designing, building, and testing our own courts since 1974. Whether you’re interested in an athletic surface for hockey, skating, basketball, volleyball, roller hockey, tennis, futsal, or even bocce ball, our knowledgeable team can help. To learn more about the process or to begin designing your custom backyard court, please give us a call at 866-928-3047 or send us a message online. We look forward to hearing from you!