Cost to build a functioning ice skating rink for community use? Please back-up your answers?

Question

I'm wanting to know what the cost would be to build a fully functional ice-skating rink? In your estimate, do NOT include the land, building, Zamboni, or any extras that may be in the building. What I'm looking for is an estimated cost for the specific materials needed for the rink. From start to finish, let's assume it's on a concrete pad. Looking for the price on cooling system, materials, etc. If you have answers to this, please try to provide a link or reference to where you got this information. I searched this topic already and only found one answer....and that estimate was between 5 & 8 million dollars; however, they didn't provide a reference to where they got this information. Any information that is provided would be helpful to me. Looking to get with some investors and open one up in my area. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

To get an honest answer, you need specific details about the size of the rink, the site that it will be placed on, the type of building construction, etc. Take that information to a qualified contractor and be prepared for that big number.



If you already have a building with a smooth slab, you may want to look into synthetic ice. A professional-quality synthetic ice rink could be built in such a location for something on the order of 1/4 million or less depending on the size. No refrigeration equipment or the required maintenance and electricity expenses that go with it. No ice grooming equipment. Even if your 5 million dollar estimate way too high and my 1/4 million dollar estimate is way too low... the cost savings of synthetic ice compared to refrigerated ice are HUGE, and the progress that has been made in synthetic ice technology in recent years has produced a product that is as skatable as real ice.



Something to think about, anyway.

Answer 2

This is nothing new. The plastic used is called SHDPE (super high density polyethylene) it is very hard, but has properties that give it a bit of flexibility, this allows the skate blade to "dig in" without slicing into it. I have worked at a training facility in the Dallas area that had a small rink, and 3 goalie shooting lanes. The stuff is amazingly close to the performance of ice. And yes, some of the things they say about it are basically true as well. You do have shavings, and it is a bit more resistive to gliding, it's hotter to play at a rink that has this, but it isn't ice! There should be some trade offs, since melting ice as the blades move over it is one of the slickest things known to man. That having been said, it is a very viable training aid, as the increased resistance builds up muscle that when yopu step onto ice, it will feel much like a baseball player swinging a weighted bat prior to stepping up to the plate with a lighter bat. You will be quicker, and have a bit more stamina. I was amazed that I didn't really have to alter the way I skated that much.I did notice it takes a bit longer to stop, and there is a bit of slippage when trying to start rapidly. You still have to "resurface" it from time to time. The only thing is, you are using a giant blade to remove the cut marks, and even out the surface again. Then you vacuum it. Then you need to apply a layer of wax, or we used a silcone based spray after scraping it. While I don't see synthetic ice replacing standard ice rinks, I do see the possibility of more training facilities utilizing this technology.