Keeping Ice Nice for Winter Sports

Ice is Pretty Cool 

Hockey, figure skating, and curling are just three of the many sports that compete on ice. Each sport is played on a multi-layer sheet of ice. Until the first indoor ice rink was developed in London in 1876 these events were held outside on frozen lakes and ponds. New York opened their indoor ice rink in 1879 in Madison Square Garden.

 

First, add Water 

Indoor ice rinks make clear ice by using deionized water from large filtration systems. The water is sprayed over a chilled concrete slab that uses the same technology as a refrigerator or air conditioner. Several layers create the base, including a paint layer to make lines and logos for the different sports played on the surface. The average size arena uses up to 15,000 gallons of water and takes nearly 20 hours to complete. 

 

What is the Temperature? 

Hockey players desire the ice surface to be 24°-26° F. This temperature gives them a hard, fast surface. If it’s too warm, the ice seems “soft” and players may lose their edge. Ice that’s too cold may chip and become rough to skate on. 

Figure skaters enjoy the ice a bit warmer at 26°-28° F. This offers a softer ice that allows the athlete a surface that “grips” and works better for hops and jumps.

A different ice is required for the sport of curling. Ice temperature is ideal at 23° F and is sprayed with water droplets to form a surface that allows the curling stones (or rocks) to travel across the ice. As the droplets melt or wear down, the “curl” of the stone fades, and players must adjust their strategy. 

 

Smooth and Clean

In the 1940’s, Frank Zamboni invented the first ice resurfacing machine to make the job of ice maintenance easier than before. At 10 MPH, two of these machines take 3-4 minutes driving in a clockwise pattern to cut and wash the ice of the indoor rink. This creates a surface known as “green ice” because it has not yet been skated on.

At a cost of around $55,000 each, most rinks have two of these four-wheel-drive, propane powered ice resurfacing machines.

Michael Dwyer is a freelance writer and travel columnist. Michael writes about happenings in the Rochester area, travels across Michigan and destinations around the world. Contact him at Michael@RochesterMedia.com

About Michael Dwyer

Michael Dwyer is a freelance content provider. Michael writes about happenings in the Rochester area, travels across Michigan and destinations around the world. Contact him at michael@rochestermedia.com.

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