I had a conversation with the Fiancée, she asked me how and what would I do if had a few million dollars and wanted to make money regularly and had my own hockey rink? Here is how I would build it. And no I will not show blueprints we have architects for that, i.e. my cousins.
After supervising a rink for over 6 months I got to see the cost and manpower that goes into running two sheets and having shitty stands in one and no stands in the other, That being said I would like to have three sheets of ice.
Here is how I would do it.
As far as the filler-
It would all be the more forgiving Plexiglas, much more helpful on hard hits and forgiving to hard shots with less breakage, it also offers a clearer view in my eyes so it would be easier for the fans too. Netting of course above the glass, to not cause any fan injuries. The ice would be sitting on a bed of concrete unlike some retarded rink owners who think sawdust/sand is the best choice. It’s not and you’re fucking retarded if you think so. So what do we have here? The Concrete where the boards are directly mounted onto, then the pipe coils laid down, a sheet laid down on top of that, flooded. Then another sheet laid down on top of that to paint the lines and designs, then more flooding until we meet the regulation ice.
Maintenance: The ice should and will be maintained with hot water and quarter inch cuts to make sure you cut deep enough to remove huge rivets on the ice and enough to be repaired and regained and moderately edged on the boards to not allow too deep of a cut that will damage peoples legs. NHL spacing style benches with risers for the coaches. This is spoken from personal experience.
Thus brings the argument of Temperatures. The ceilings will be low and very condensated. The lower the ceiling the lower the temperature stays, less light bill more consistency with temperature flow. Average good ice temperature is 24-26 degrees in the skating surface. At 29 degrees after multiple games the ice spikes in temperature and you get slush, and injuries begin to happen. So 25F degrees around -4C, the ice is not too warm and it’s not too cold where it chips and just gets gross. That only means the temperature off the skating part will be no higher than 62 degrees. So grab a sweater with those shorts!
The Entry doors are also extremely crucial. The front doors to the rink will be manual opening, then there is a 15-foot space between those outer doors and another set of Doors to enter the Arena officially. This helps separate the outer weather if it is too hot or humid and allows temperament change for those coming in as well. Also before going into the main ice areas will be another set of doors further separating the outer areas from the inside rink. This is where the temperatures proves crucial as the Outer will be 62 degrees which changes with body heat in tournaments and parties as well as the 30F degree weather surrounding the outer area of the playing surfaces.
One of the considerations is also a Bar, not like a private club but one of the biggest money makers is putting a bar for parents and food in there as well so parents have something to do besides harass their own kids and coaches. Nothing is more embarrassing than having parent’s micro manage their kid’s lives in a fun game and environment. Parents enjoying a drink, alcoholic or non alcoholic with parents means its more fun for kids on the ice and lets them focus. Do we need to mention Patrick O’Sullivan and his meddling dad? Or do we need it repeated constantly?
Another plus to having a bar, is the ability to have a restaurant type of foods, granted hot dogs, pizzas, and such at prices that not only are reasonable and wallet robbing but able to not just become affordable but kids can have a treat instead of everyone having to go somewhere else for pizza. Sadly for sugar and junk food this will be the only bad nutrition offered in my rink. Kids need healthy food, not junk.
Of course each ice sheet will have four sets of lockers, each two will be conjoined by showers, and restrooms, you need to clean up if you expect the ladies or guys to think you’re cool to hug and… other.
Soundsystem? You most certainly can bet your awesome face there will be one, it's a combination of whats needed ranging in mixes of brands like Bose, JBL, and Altec speakers, drivers and of course anyone who plays shitty generic rock like every rink will be punched. The last thing that you need is same old 70s and late 80s same 15 song tracks. We're gonna have everything played, and if need be we can host a concert as a fundraiser. Growing up in hardcore and metal bands we always wanted gigs, this place will offer just that for local shows.
Sheet 1: The main course.
This would be the main sheet, the Olympic size sheet, I feel that all rinks if they have more than one sheet should have a regulation and an Olympic sized sheet each. Olympic sheets offer that more open space; more room to play in and get creative for players and some defenses will have to work smarter to contain offenses.
This sheet would be sunk into the ground unlike the others for that Bowl feel of a rink. Most of the classic NHL and European arenas and rinks have been made lowered into the ground; it offers a more aerial view for scouts, fans and staff. With this aggressive angle as well, it elevates noise, makes the fans feel closer to the game and restricts obstruction viewing unless the idiot in front of you will not sit down. The bleachers would be wrap around so everyone can watch from any end they want. This would be great for kids of all ages for parents, friends and other family to come and watch their games and cheer instead of limited seating with smaller rinks, whether it fills or not, this would be the main draw to the rink.
Also starring, this ice will have a goal horn. What home team wants to score and not hear their own horn? All leagues will enjoy this even adults will have a short blast and the most exciting will be for the kids, this will be their most fun part for them.
Sheet 2: The NHL Regulation sheet.
This sheet would be the smaller, this would be the floor level sheet, with bleachers that go around one end of the ice to the other but nothing behind the benches which will become the locker room routes direct to the benches. Just like the main ice sheet. Why do this? The Floor above the Locker rooms will be an equipment room for the main home team. This will work if a college takes residence and or a minor league team takes residence or both. A Good equipment room is needed to do repairs for them or for people in house leagues, this would be a perfect feature, From a table saw, to an industrial sewing machine for those hard composite/leather/plastic repairs. Heat guns for sticks, and sharpening machines. Sticks, protective equipment, skate equipment like tongues and holders and runners.
As for the ice sheet it will be standard USA Hockey regulation ice, again the forgiving plexiglass for contact teams and those learning to skate and still cannot stop. We’ve all seen others hurt themselves trying to stop on the boards and hitting their shoulders or heads, this option will offer a shock when doing so and taking a hit.
Sheet 3: The Backup practice, Sled Hockey, and the Get-Creative sheet.
Why do I say this? I went back to the ice after years of roller and went to an ice sheet that was half size, it was so small and claustrophobic, playing there with everyone running into each other and the stick handling with so many bodies and sticks and legs? You get really creative and you do some things you never knew you could in small spaces. Imagine how it would feel, once you get on normal size ice? Did I mention this would be synthetic Dry ice? Less Maintenance and more work to do on the ice for the players and less time having to wait for ice cuts.
Having a Half size rink also offers more room in the building for another room, Skate rental, and used gear room for selling and renting if needed. How many times have you had a game where a goalie didn’t show up? How many times have you wanted to try out your skill in the net without having to drop $1,500 dollars in gear, I mean, Passau Hockey pads are pretty freaking amazing, and so are Vaughn’s, but you have to start somewhere while saving up. The only thing you need to bring is your own helmets or sticks and pelvic strap or jock strap. Oh, and yourself. This will also have a sharpening machine.
There you go, this is how it would be if I owned my very own hockey rink from scratch.
