Just Add Water
November 22, 2005
Last night me and the boys put the liner in the Fenton Ice Palace, my backyard ice rink, and we turned the hose on. Forecast for Central NY is looking a little chilly so I’m hoping to get the base setup in our rink over the next week.
Setting up the rink was much easier and cheaper this year. I reused everything from last year: boards, screws and plastic. I also went with a much simpler setup that will require less maintenance. This year’s Ice Palace is 16 x 24, smaller than last years 24 x 24, but this allows me to use one piece of my leftover plastic and not have to fight with a seam. This size will also be much easier to shovel. May sound small, but my oldest is 3 so I think it will work.
My plan is to expand on the rink each year and I think the goal for next year will be to add real hockey boards and make the rink a little longer (which will require more fill to level the yard).
I’m hoping to put two inches of water into the rink over the next couple of days and then get it frozen over the weekend. If the weather cooperates I can then get out the rink rake and work on building up the ice and getting a good surface. I’ll let you know how I make out and will put some pictures up. If anyone has any backyard ice rink advice or questions, please post them in the comments. I learned a lot last year from trial and lots and lots of error 
I’ve got a 20 x 50 rink - first year at this.
I’ve already been skating on it - min of 4″ of ice.
I have been running into the problem of ’shell ice’. Wondering if you have any tips to eliminate this.
Thanks.
We are building a 20 x 30 back yard ice rink this year. I have just ordered white tarp and a friend is picking up the boards. Question: how much water do you put in rink the first fill? …..one inch/two inches? How frequently do you add water? And what is overall final depth of ice rink?
thank you so much
Lyndalee