There is nothing more exciting than building a roller hockey rink in your back yard! It’s an activity that brings neighbors and families together while also providing hours of entertainment and joy. Moreover, it can be a great way to spend time with your kids and teach them valuable life lessons.
Many parents and grandparents have found the answer to their boredom, while others just need a place to go for a quick workout. Whatever the case may be, building a roller hockey rink is a definite ‘bucket list’ item for many sports enthusiasts. While it can be a rewarding experience, building a roller hockey rink is no easy task and requires some serious prep work.
Here are some of the things that you will need to consider before starting construction.
Table of Contents
The Rink
If you are looking for an easy way to bring family and friends together while also providing hours of entertainment, building a roller hockey rink is certainly the way to go. Moreover, it is a great way to teach your kids valuable life lessons. To give you an idea of what size rink you will need, it’s generally accepted that a regulation size rink is 135 feet by 75 feet. Don’t expect to fit a whole league within these dimensions, however, as many leagues have special requirements that can be hard to accommodate. A 120 feet wide by 60 feet long rink will certainly do the trick, though, making it plenty big enough for a few neighborhood kids to get some ice time while also allowing for two or three adult teams to play in the same space.
Aside from the size of the rink, you will need to consider the material used for the floor. There are several different materials available, such as concrete, ceramic tile, and wood chips, and the like. Concrete is easy to get and inexpensive, while wood chips are easy to come by and don’t require any particular tools to install. If you choose concrete, make sure that it has an even distribution of small pebbles or marble chips mixed in to make it more interesting for the kids. Ceramic tiles can also be used, but make sure to keep an eye out for any potential slip-and-fall hazards near the area where you will be setting up the rink. Regardless of which material you choose, make sure that it is safe for skating and has adequate traction so that the balls do not roll away easily. It is also advisable to build a rink on a flat surface to prevent the balls from rolling too far and becoming inaccessible.
The Skating Rink
Apart from the rink floor, you will need to consider the surface area on which the kids will be skating. This will depend on the size of your yard and the length of the rink you built. If you have a small yard with a short rink, you will need to think about investing in a half-pipe or an in-line skate. A half-pipe is simply a steel or concrete surface that descends on one side and then curves around in an arc, while an in-line skate is a narrow band of plastic that encircles one or two pairs of wheels and allows for a more fluid stride while also keeping the feet close to the body for better stability.
If you have a decent-sized backyard with a longer rink, you will need to invest in ice-making equipment to keep the ice frozen during the entire year. This equipment will consist of a freezer, a water system, and several fans to keep air moving over the ice during the winter months. Moreover, you will need to have ice tongs and a few inches of padding around the rink to protect the wood floor from getting damaged. If you build an above-ground concrete pool with water features, be sure to add an extra safety guard to prevent any accidents from happening.
The Scoreboard
To complete the rink, you will need to have a scoreboard to keep track of the goals and any other exciting moment when playing on the ice. A scoreboard can be an old school board with numbers posted on it or a fancy LED display that fits perfectly in your smartphone.
Along with the scoreboard, you will need to think about getting some lighting to improve the aesthetic appeal of the ice. There are several different options available, such as the use of solar-powered lights or small garden lamps. If you choose the latter, you will need to conceal the wiring and avoid any accidental electrocutions, especially when playing in the dark.
The Refrigeration Unit
To keep the ice frozen during the winter, you will need a refrigeration unit to maintain a certain temperature inside the freezer. If you decide on an above-ground pool with a water feature, be sure to install the heat pump near the pool deck to increase the cooling effect. In this case, you will also need a larger-capacity air conditioner to ensure that the air around the pool is cool and comfortable for both you and your visitors.
The Playground For Adults
If you decide to build a playground for adults, you will need to consider a few things. First, how will you use it? Will it be for exercise or for something more fun? If you choose the latter, make sure that the equipment is safe and of good quality. Moreover, you will need to add some features to make the experience worthwhile. For example, you could add a sandpit, a mini-pitch, or a climbing wall. Consider what your family will use the playground for and plan accordingly.
Private Areas
Regardless of whether you build a public or a private rink, you will need some areas (typically near the entrance) where players can change clothes, warm-up, and cool down. If you have a small backyard with a short rink, you can build a shed for these purposes or put up a couple of changing stations. You could also use a couple of garage stalls or an old laundry room for this purpose. In a larger yard, you can put up some bleacher seating or a few lawn chairs to create a small area where friends and family can gather to watch the games.
The Walkway
To provide better accessibility to the ice, you will need a walkway or a driveway. In a smaller yard, you can simply use the grass or gravel for this purpose. In larger yards, you can either lay down some flagstones or pour concrete to create a smooth driveway. Whatever material you use, make sure that it is safe and easy to walk on. Moreover, if you build a concrete walkway, you will need to provide a handrail on one side and a drain on the other to keep the walkway clean and free of any debris.
The Shower Room
To clean up after the games, you will need a shower room or a bathroom. Aside from having a place to clean up after playing, you will need a bathroom for regular use. You can also build a small niche within the bathroom for storing extra hygiene products or a pair of shoes. In larger yards, you can simply put up a couple of folding chairs or an old camp stool for additional seating.
The Deck
To complete the rink, you will need a deck or a platform for setting up the games. The deck can be any surface, such as grass, gravel, concrete, or wood; however, make sure that it is flat and free from any pebbles or other debris. If you have a small yard with a short rink, you can simply use the existing grass, but in larger yards, you can build a small platform at the end of the rink.
As you can see, building a rink is no easy task, and it requires some serious prep work. However, it is certainly worth it in the end, especially if you have kids that love to play on the ice. Moreover, by teaching them valuable life lessons and providing them with fun activities, you will be giving them the skills they need to be successful in later life.