Easy and Inexpensive Ice Rink

I was going to build the PVC rink, but that stuff is pretty expensive, so I came up with wood design that is cheap and easy, and can even be used with a yard with a slight slope. It can be built in a few hours for under $50

Step 1 Materials and Layout

You will need:

A drill, saw, razor knife
Small box of 1.5 inch wood screws
Small box of 2.5 inch wood screws
Ten 8 foot 2x4 studs
Ten 8 foot 1x2 pine strips (4 cut in half)
20x25 foot piece of 6 mil plastic

This will build a 24 foot by 16 foot rink. Not huge, but fun for some 1/2 court hockey! It has been a great spot to teach my kids how to skate.

Unroll the plastic in the most level area of the yard
Layout the 2x4 studs three on the sides and 2 on the ends

Comments

[led wiz]

There is a great forum/group that has lots of info and pictures of Back Yard Rinks from around the globe. It is a must visit! http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/backyardrink

[led wiz]

The last few years I have been making the perimeter with 2x6's and 2x10's finding the slope of the yard with a laser to make a bigger rink. I have purchased from craigslist a 44x60' piece of 6mil, built caps for the top of the 2x6's out of 1x2's to protect it from getting in and out with skates on, and also triangle side supports out of 1x2's to keep the boards straight when it gets temporarily warm mid-season. I have built one of the pvc water zamboni's. I leave the wood stacked behind the garden, and this will be my third year reusing it. This year i hope to add 12" plywood inserts on the inside of the ice to stop the puck from getting lost in the snow. GOOD LUCK!

[tiffanylynn444]

Thanks for the great instructions! My husband went out to pick up the materials today but found the plastic sheeting to be super expensive! Where did you purchase yours to keep this project cost under $50?

[led wiz]

Home depot has 20x50' 3mil (a little thinner) plastic for under $30

[led wiz]

3 mil 20x50' sheet at the home depot is under $30

[mrdudej]

how thick is the ice

[led wiz]

go at least 3" everywhere... thicker if you can

[boomrlargo]

How thick would you say your ice sheet was on average?

[led wiz]

Between 3 inches and 8 inches... any thinner and if it gets too warm... the ice slab will float a bit, it can crack, and the skates can slice the plastic causing leak spots... and leaking from the bottom is a rink killer

[duck_tape_]

Should you remove snow from the ground under it, or build it on top of the snow.

[wberpunk]

My brother puts one up every year.  He begins prepping for it in at the latest mid-november.  depending on where you are, you most likely won't have snow.

[duck_tape_]

thanks =)

[led wiz]

Definately remove the snow... it makes the low areas fill better...its time well spent

[bassclarinet23]

Or, you could just flood the yard. Nice project.

[imboox2]

 Hard to do just flooding the yard unless you live in an extremely cold area. My soil was gravel and even in the winter it would drink water. 

In town a friend did a rink every year flooding a purposely raised and bermed area in their extra side lot. They had a layer of very clay rich soil brought in and spread that around about 4" thick  and made about an 8" high berm around the edge using the clay. A bunch of friends took turns hand tamping it with tampers (not their hands). They had a small low area on one side in the berm for the warmer weather so the yard did not flood when it rained. In winter they'd dam the drain area and flood the yard. Saturate the soil first and let that freeze and then finish it off with a couple more floods. Oh yeah, they had 2 " or more of top soil on the clay and grass grew great there each year.

[bassclarinet23]

Yeah,  I know. I was just kidding.

[PyroMaster007]

my mom thinks it'll kill the grass and ultimatley do damage tothe yard so she woun't let me set mine up. any ideas to convince her?

[wenpherd]

try, wouldent the snow do just as much damege to the yard

[led wiz]

I'm pretty sure if you get it up before it hits spring (or at least before it hits 40 regularly...and can't use it anyway...it should not hurt the grass.) I know I don't want to re-seed! Plus as a bonus, when you drain it, it waters the lawn before it comes out of dormancy! Win-win. Good luck!

[PyroMaster007]

thanks. she thinks it will tear up the yard...

[instructors]

Cool to see an instructable for a wooden one, could I post a link of your instructable on mine, just to show them an alternative for the PVC?

[led wiz]

Sure! Yours is great.