Synthetic Ice as a Business Investment. There’s Never Been a Better Time.

As devastating as covid has been on so many businesses – it has created opportunities.

The general public are looking for fun and safe things to do. Many sports teams, athletes and skating events have been directly impacted by the new social distancing and operating requirements. 

Rinks are now required to have lower numbers and shorter hours. This affects the number of practices, games and leisure skates available. Supply is just not meeting demand. This provides a great business opportunity in the right situation.

Commercial Synthetic Ice Rink

A commercial synthetic ice rink brings opportunities to local families for scheduled skates for example. Also it could close the gap for much-needed practices and training. Hockey players, goalies and figure skaters are lacking ice time! You determine the surface size to fit your specific needs. 

Effective marketing

It’s crucial to effectively market and network your synthetic ice rink business. One effective way to do this is by distributing Metal Business Kards. They convey professionalism and durability, reflecting the high-quality experience your rink offers. These cards serve as tangible reminders for potential clients, coaches, and sports enthusiasts. This highlights the convenience and versatility of your synthetic ice rink solution. With your business card always at hand, you’re equipped to seize unexpected networking opportunities. You can connect with individuals seeking alternative skating options in the current landscape.

A lot of prime locations are now available. There are new government incentives available, providing backing for bank loans as one example, to assist the economy to grow and develop once again. 

Environment matters

The environmental sustainability of synthetic ice is the most cost-efficient and responsible option. Say goodbye to the massive capital costs and huge ongoing operating costs of a mechanically refrigerated ice rink.

Do a Business Plan

What should I include in my business plan? For instance, here are some variables to consider when planning a commercial synthetic ice skating rink. How many skaters can we safely allow on the rink? Should the rink be inside or outside? Will it be permanent or seasonal? What will the rink be used for?  What should I charge? Are permits and insurance required? What is the best product for commercial use that will be durable and long lasting? 

In the unpredictable realm of business, unexpected challenges may arise.

These are all important considerations to make and are frequently asked questions we hear from clients all the time. Rest assured, we are here to help!

We have a history dating back to 1980. As one of the first and most knowledgeable companies in our industry, our team at SmartRink can help with your project from start to finish!

Worldwide Installs

We have managed and helped install small and large scale commercial rinks and training centres all over the world. Helping you succeed and reach your goal is what we do best!

Contact our business development team today to discuss how your Commercial Synthetic Ice Rink Project Could Become your Next Business Investment!

2020 Year at a Glance!

To say this was a challenging, strange, stressful year would be an understatement.

Families, businesses and sports have had a challenging time navigating this new normal that has affected us all.

The last time SmartRink was able to travel outside of Atlantic Canada was March 20, 2020. We built a beautiful new training center rink in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Since then, like a lot of companies, we have had to adapt and adjust how we do business.

Regardless of these new challenges, business continued and communities around the world in various stages of lock down were determined to continue to train.

We utilized technology to help us with communication and this even allowed us to provide animated assembly instructions to support our distributors worldwide.

We are super proud of all the SmartRink clients who never gave up and continued to train!

We have been privileged to be able to help and support so many families, communities and sports teams as they found creative and strategic ways to continue training, developing skill and working hard!

It has been a heartwarming and humbling experience to share in your stories and challenges as you faced this new normal and the many struggles that accompanied it.

SmartRink salutes you all!

They kept training in Canada

They kept training in USA

They kept training in Finland

They kept training in China

They kept training in Switzerland

Around the world they kept skating, working on their skills, getting better, faster, and more determined.

It has been a pleasure to work with all of you. Our clients vary from families to training centres, worldwide distributors, sports teams and schools all over the globe.

We value each and every one of you and wish you a safe and prosperous 2021!

Congratulations to you all! Keep up the great work!

 

 

John Robertson, a youth hockey volunteer in Waterville, Maine, knew that they had to make a plan for the 5000+ underprivileged kids in their community. With this initiative, it’s clear to see how the community benefits from synthetic ice.

Being in the midst of a pandemic makes it especially hard for youth hockey players to have ice time. SmartRink was pleased to be selected for such a noteworthy project.

“We had to come up with a plan for this winter to get kids on the ice, or in this case the synthetic ice, with everything that’s going on,” says Central Maine Youth Hockey volunteer John Robertson. “This was our best bang for our buck.”

And the really cool part is that its the first SmartRink synthetic ice community rink ever installed in Maine.

SmartRinks ProFast line is a unique German engineered skating surface with the perfect blend of high performance and durability. Our sinter pressed process allows us to use a higher molecular weight material that exhibits superior glide. It also leaves no dusty residue, which is particularly important in a youth centre. The quality and durability of this product line was the perfect solution for a large multi purpose training centre. The durable ProFast panels always lie flat, ensuring a seamless feel when skating.

CEO Ken Walsh of the Alfond Youth & Community Centre says it well; “So even in the summer months, we could take it and put it outside in the parking lot and people could still skate. Isn’t that awesome, it’s a great part about this thing and you can place it anywhere.”

Their ultimate goal is to build a full size arena through fundraising. But for now this SmartRink is the ideal medium term solution. They will be able to rent this surface out to community groups as part of their overall fundraising efforts. It will still provide needed access to the hockey club.

From all of us here at SmartRink, we want to congratulate the Central Maine Youth Hockey Association on a job well done! It is terrific to see communities come together and fill a need like this!

Like many 12 year old boys, Johnny loved hockey.  He would spend every waking moment on the ice if he could. His parents were more than supportive given the number of other kids who invest countless hours binge playing video games. They found that synthetic ice keeps kids active. It also prevents video game binging.

You can only imagine the devastation this boy, and many other kids in his community, faced when the Covid lock down hit his hometown. The rink (which was really his second home) was closed down.  For a child who has spent much of his life, including many weeknights and every weekend on the ice, it was almost traumatizing. Thinking about hockey and ice time coming to a complete stop was tough. However, there was no better time to seek out an alternative solution!

A home rink just made sense for the Smith family.  It was a great project for Johnny’s father to take on. As you can imagine, now working from home and also being on lock down was hard for the whole family.

We discussed products, size, a goal crease. We put together a package that arrived at his doorstep in less than 2 days! 

One product feature they appreciated was the option to stagger panels row to row. This is a unique design of SmartRinks products. The staggered or brick bond setup makes for a stronger joint pattern. It is especially helpful when the floor under the material is not uniformly flat or level. In addition, this pattern can reduce otherwise wasted cut panels! For example, when cutting half of the panel off the end of one row, you can use the remaining piece for the beginning of the next.

We walked him through each step of the install. In no time at all, Johnny was back on the ice again!

Did you know, SmartRink Synthetic ice has a worldwide distribution network bringing skating anywhere in the world!

Not only can we ship directly from our factory in Germany, but we have stocked warehouses around the globe. They can provide fast, reasonably priced shipping of our products to any location.

In addition to our worldwide distribution capabilities, we offer start to finish support to our clients. Also we ensure their final product not only meets, but exceeds their expectations.

Whether it be a backyard or community rink, a training centre, shopping mall or school. We have over 30 years of experience and can help with any project at any capacity.

Here are some of the services we provide:

• • Product Selection – From selecting the best product line and thickness, to determining rink size and custom features (creases/lines/perimeter barriers). We can help tailor your project to create the perfect set up! With our application specific product line, we offer a broader range of synthetic ice panel solutions. This ensures the best product for your unique project.
  • Logistics Support – Ensuring it gets from Point A to Point B, anywhere in the world!
  • Design – Build – Whether it’s helping plan out the right surface for your install, or being on site to install the product for you. Our trained staff will ensure the process runs smoothly and is done with expertise.
  • Maintenance – Although synthetic ice is more sustainable and requires less maintenance than real ice, it still requires regular cleaning. We will teach you how to maintain your product for long lasting results. 
  • Consulting – This is an especially helpful service for clients managing larger scale projects such as shopping malls and training centres. We offer consulting services, permit information, and health and safety training. All aspects of the project are reviewed and met with expertise and experience.
  • Operations Training – For some clients, synthetic ice or managing a community rink is a first-time experience. SmartRink offers turn-key solutions that include training, rink management, and additional products and services. These include skates, sharpeners, and anything you might require to run your rink, even skating lessons!
  • Warranty – At SmartRink, we believe in our products, and we know they are built to last. We have the best warranty in the business. This includes our famous Forever USE Warranty on home rinks.

We would love the opportunity to offer you our expertise on your next project! Contact us today at info@smartrink.com

In the early 1960’s the idea of polyethylene plastic being used as a substitute for ice was born, with the world’s first commercially viable synthetic ice product launching in 1978.

The polymers used back then, although state of the art at the time, were not great for skaters. They could not glide smoothly on the surface without the regular application of a silicone compound or alternative lubricant. Even then, it did not have the smooth glide of regular ice.

Our subsidiary company history, NOICEONE, goes back to the 1980’s – the first full size synthetic skating rink was installed in Southport, UK introducing a patented interlocking panel made of a higher density polyethylene. It was truly revolutionary. The surface still needed to be sprayed regularly with a gliding fluid to be maintained, but advancements in panel connection systems and skateable materials were slowly being made.  

Into the 1990’s, NOICEONE was the worldwide front runner in manufacture, design and installation around the world, and is still working away today developing innovative new products and improving materials. SmartRink has had the direct benefit of both past achievements of NOICEONE and been directly involved in more recent engineering advancements of this product and want to share some of the things we have learned.

Most synthetic ice suppliers today are still using mass produced extruded polyethylene material. This product may have evolved over the years, however it certainly doesn’t meet the SmartRink quality standards for GLIDE, PERFORMANCE and DURABILITY.

Having over 40 years experience in the industry, we have been heavily involved with testing of various products on the market. Our German manufacturer (OKULEN) completes continuous in house research, development and engineering to maintain a world renowned product that is second to no other.

Here is a brief overview of accomplishments:

• First commercially viable product for sale in 1978
• Developed and patented the H-Tongue connection system
• Popularized the synthetic ice Home Rink Advantage selling rinks to homeowners in Canada and USA
• Sold and installed the world’s first permanent NHL size rink (still in operation).
• Installed the world’s largest backyard synthetic ice rink (we think it still has the record)
• Designed and patented the world’s first Hybrid-Lock(TM) connection system
• Developed in conjunction with our partners the only officially endorsed ice less curling system by the World Curling Federation
• Invented the world’s only inter-connected 2 sided goal crease
• Sold the first ever synthetic ice skating rink to Barbados
• Developed the world’s only true comparison measurement test tool : The Weighted Skate Test (TM)
• Developed our trademark Ice-Y-Blue700(TM) skating material

On to Today:

Our premium grade panel uses a Very High Molecular Weight Pe virgin resin as raw material and then is sinter pressed (a process that uses extreme hot and cold pressure to ensure an extremely dense material). Our Exclusive producer partner, OKULEN, has a meticulous DIN ISO9001 quality system in place, which consistently produces an exceptional skating panel every time! The process ensures no gaps or air pockets, only a solid homogeneous sheet. During the process the material is de-stressed so that it always lies flat.

Synthetic ice is used all over the world as a replacement for real ice.  Without the need for refrigeration, electricity or heavy equipment, the environmental impacts are substantial, offering an environmentally sustainable and eco-friendly alternative. At the end of the useful life of our material, it can even be ground up and reprocessed

Every hockey parent knows, your kid just can’t get enough ice time. But let’s face it, commuting an hour to the rink through rush hour traffic, getting up before the break of dawn, and juggling a multitude of practices and games, isn’t always easy for us either. Even though we race tirelessly to support our kids’ performance, training and development, is there a better way – to get better faster?

This was the challenge for one determined hockey parent who knew she had to go the extra mile to get her kid the ice time needed to advance and develop his skill. 

Some parents are willing to go that extra mile for their kids development, and this client of ours did just that!

After doing her research on synthetic ice and what products were available, she contacted us to help her install a home rink.  We were pretty impressed, because she knew her stuff and we were thrilled to help her get an inside rink geared up! 

Two big selling features for her were that SmartRink offered a Forever USE Warranty due to our incredible synthetic panel durability for hockey training.  She also loved that the ice had superior glide performance for hockey training due to our uncompromising attention to our engineered sinter pressed materials.

It was certainly a huge investment, but one that granted her kid unlimited ice time, while freeing up her own time! Some things are just priceless.

Imagine having a cup of coffee in your pajamas watching your kid practice, or working with them to do some one on one training..without having to leave your home or scrape off your car. 

A dream come true really, and one that this parent made into a reality.

We all can agree, investing in an ice rink can be a huge investment, so how do you create a community venue, like a skating rink, on a tight budget?

This was a real challenge for a local church in California. They had their hearts set on providing a skating rink for their members and locals to use, wanting to build a great atmosphere for families and their community to come together and enjoy.  How do you do that on a low budget?  How do you maintain or install products you know nothing about?  These were all real challenges for them to overcome and it all started with research.

The price point between synthetic ice and a real ice rink was the first big selling feature.  Synthetic ice is far more affordable, not to mention the maintenance is almost non existent in comparison to real ice.  We generally advise that synthetic ice surfaces are cleaned daily, however when compared to hourly for a refrigerated surface, it saves both money and time. Synthetic ice rinks do not require the use of electricity or water and therefore don’t require the use of chillers or heavy equipment for maintenance; perfect for venues where noise could change the atmosphere that is trying to be created.

There are certainly huge savings in the price point between the two, both for installing and maintaining synthetic ice versus real ice, however this church was still not able to fund a purchase.  Beyond that, they knew very little about synthetic skating material and when researching various companies online the information seemed confusing and it was hard to differentiate one firm from another.

When they reached out to us, we were more than happy to work with them and come up with an affordable rental package that fit their needs. We collaborated on installation resources and the church community showed up to lend a helping hand and did really tremendous work.

SmartRink is proud to support communities through positive experiences by creating cost effective community recreation spaces that can be enjoyed by all for years to come. This is the SmartRink difference.

After being a returning SmartRink rental package customer for two years and many thousands of happy skaters later, it was exciting to see this client attract some funding to purchase a SmartRink for their community to enjoy for years to come! We are not surprised they got funding, as they are among the nicest clients we have ever worked with!