Backyard Ice Rink

[JR2]

I am in the planning stages of building an ice rink in my yard. Well not really my yard, but a flat spot in the trees (once I cut them down and flatten out the spot). I know I can not be the only guy on here who is or has built a backyard ice rink. Share your tricks and tips with me. What kind of liner did you use, what kind of base under the liner? How big was it?



The current plan is too build a rink that will end up being about 24x24 ft. I am going to flatten out the spot (I get to rent a bobcat. . woo woo) and then build side boards out of treated 2x8's (or 2x10's depending on how level I get the spot). I am going to put either sand (hard to keep cats out of in summer) or pea gravel in it and lay a white liner in the hole. Then come winter and cold weather I will flood the liner with water and bingo my little boys will have there own rink. I also plan on installing flood lights and a burn barrel for warming up little hands.



What do you think??

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Skating rinks, hockey rinks, backyard skating rinks, portable ice resurfacers, hockey nets



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[SHobbs]

In Texas we call it a pool. We know heat not cold. Would be nice to have one all to yourself though.

 

[fest3er]

... and a burn barrel for warming up little hands.

Gutsy fellow you are. A burn barrel? Polluting Alaska's pristine air? You'll be receiving death threats from enviro-thugs in no time at all! Be sure to add a 1/4 cup of used motor oil after you get the fire started. That'll surely incense them further.

 

[Spooled-up]

They did a story on one of these on Ask This Old House. It didn't look that hard. I searched their website and couldn't find anything about it. Maybe keep an eye on the shows and they'll replay it.

 

[JR2]

I will watch for it. I think I can get it done with out much problem but if anyone has any ideas or tricks I am not opposed to listening.

As for the burn barrel, us right minded folks up here still use them. Some of us even have fire places in our homes and use charcoal in our grills. We generally ask anyone who thinks this is bad to leave the state and not come back.