Could a synthetic ice hockey rink be the next game-changing addition to your indoor sports complex?

Managing an indoor sports complex is a difficult task. 

You have to keep each court or field in top shape.

Revenue is top of mind, so you’re constantly looking for ways to enhance the complex’s appeal.

And you need to stay ahead of the competition.

The ability to play multiple sports is one of the best qualities of a sports complex.

We’re talking basketball, football, tennis, soccer, and much more. 

Sports complexes are appealing as versatile community hubs for recreational sports, training, competitions, and events. 

As expected of any competent manager, you have your finger on the pulse, and adding some ice sports may have come across your mind.

Ice hockey - and other associated sports like figure skating - is still as popular as ever.

You may have even got a request or two about a hockey rink. 

But there’s a problem.

The cost of building and managing a conventional ice rink is enough to pull your hair out. 

So let’s break down a viable alternative - synthetic ice - an innovative way to get the most of ice sports, attract new athletes, and round out your facility.

Have You Heard of Synthetic Ice Rinks?

Hockey and figure skating rinks can be built in 3 ways:

1. Using the cold winter temperatures, you can freeze a set body of water or build an enclosed space, fill it with water, and create a natural rink. 
2. Leverage the power of refrigeration. Almost all standard ice rinks operate this way. Large areas are kept at constant freezing temperatures with a coolant and mechanical refrigeration system.
3. Build a synthetic ice rink. 

The third option, synthetic ice, is the latest but perhaps the most innovative option. 

Synthetic ice is a unique, high-density polyethylene material that can be used for ice skating. 

Some tiles are pre-treated with a slip surface agent to reduce friction, while others require manual application of a slip surface conditioner. 

The synthetic ice is cut into tiles or panels with dovetail edges (think puzzle pieces) and installed similarly to laminate flooring. 

You connect the tiles or panels while placing them over a large surface area to build the hockey or figure skating surface.

Add rink walls and you have a completed hockey rink.

Synthetic ice rinks have been around for decades in amusement parks, malls, museums, and parking lots.

Recently, they’ve become more accessible due to Home Ice Starter Kits, showing up in backyards and garages across the country. 

Synthetic ice is quickly becoming the go-to option for commercial spaces like sports complexes. 

With a synthetic ice hockey rink, hockey players, figure skaters, and even recreational players get access to a playing surface.

Complex owners and managers also get a space with a host of benefits. 

Enjoy Cost-Effectiveness with Synthetic Ice Hockey Rinks

We know what’s stopping you from adding a hockey rink to your sports complex.

It’s in no way a cheap undertaking.

A refrigerated rink can cost well past six figures to install.

And you can pay thousands per month in personnel to manage and maintain the space. 

More importantly, you can’t guarantee you’ll get a large enough influx of new customers to justify the investment. 

Synthetic ice solves many of the concerns of installing a refrigerated rink.

The panels are more cost-effective than a conventional rink, allowing you to save tens of thousands in installation costs.

Furthermore, synthetic ice does not require continuous refrigeration or electrical power. You’ll save tens of thousands in utilities and maintenance costs.

The polyethylene is easy to clean and maintain, a task your current team can add to their plate without requiring specialized skills. 

With a synthetic ice rink, you can attract new customers at a competitive cost for years.

Year-Round Revenue Opportunities

 

Ice rinks, while popular, can be seasonal, with a higher demand around the winter months. 

During summer and fall, you will notice a significant drop in use.

Furthermore, the cost of keeping a refrigerated rink running that time adds up, contributing to a loss at a later date.

Climate change has also influenced popular indoor and outdoor hockey rinks, narrowing the window for public use. 

Synthetic ice rinks are not influenced by the weather or seasons.

They can remain active without adding to overall maintenance costs.

These rinks are also versatile, allowing for roller skating, sock skating, and other sporting activities throughout the year.

You’re only limited by your imagination.

Increase The Sports Complex’s Multi-Use Potential 

Adding a popular sport like ice hockey or figure skating at a fraction of the cost can increase the potential of your multi-sports complex.

The diverse offerings can create multiple streams of income through rentals, memberships, and events.

You can host company events including ice skating lessons or have a kids hockey programs for charity. 

A rink can become a focal point for community gatherings attracting a new group of ice sports enthusiasts. 

Rinks can attract event organizers looking for hockey, ice skating, or ice sports opportunities. 

In short, synthetic ice hockey rinks can increase an indoor sports complex’s revenue, versatility, and accessibility at a more cost-effective investment. 

Installing a Commercial Synthetic Ice Rink: The Basics

Installing a synthetic ice rink may be simpler than your conventional ice rink, but it’s no walk in the park.

You’ll need to start by earmarking the appropriate space and use. 

How many people or players can use it safely?

What sports can you play on the rink? What’s the budget?

Measure your space including rink walls, hockey dasher boards, benches, and recreational viewing areas for additional safety and accessibility. 

Enlist an engineer or specialist to ensure the future skating surface is level and moisture-free to avoid injuries or a poor skating experience.

Even flat surfaces should have a subfloor.

Install wood or a shock-absorbing underlayer for improved performance. 

Research your synthetic ice provider. 

Panels, like our PolyGlide ProGlide Panels, are best for commercial spaces as they are more durable than tiles and suitable for long-term skating. 

All that’s left to do is purchase, wait for delivery, and install the rink, which should take 1-2 days if all pieces are in place. 

Taking Your Sports Complex to the Next Level

There are some basic considerations and risks that come with any commercial rink:

• Get your staff up-to-date on the ice rink, maintenance, pricing, and the difference between real ice and synthetic ice. 
• Consider ice skate rentals for another income stream.
• Review and update liability insurance to cover ice skating. 
• Come up with multiple income streams and promotions for the year. 
• Reach out to local hockey clubs, figure skating coaches, and skating organizations.
• Panels can last for 10 years but durability can change with usage. Plan for proper disposal, recycling, and replacement of synthetic ice panels at end-of-life. 

Even with a synthetic ice rink, things can go wrong.

 It’s a commercial space, after all!

With the right planning, you eliminate risk, reduce installation costs, and start bringing in cash sooner.

Adding a synthetic ice hockey rink to your indoor sports complex opens a new offering and breathes new life into your space.

Hockey and ice skating are sports enjoyed by all ages.

A commercial rink in your sports complex delivers a diverse sporting facility that sets you apart from competitors.

If you have further questions, need synthetic ice equipment, or guidance on setting up your rink, reach out to us and trust our decades of ice experience to get you there.