What an amazing synthetic hockey rink project this was. We converted a backyard asphalt tennis court into the world’s largest synthetic ice backyard rink. This rink was completely tricked out with blue lines, centre red line, faceoff dots, goal creases, and goal lines. This family is not only hockey crazy but they also play lacrosse. So at their request, we added an additional crease outside the hockey goal crease for lacrosse. This was a first in the world that we are aware of.

ProFast1500 Synthetic Ice gets it done

This project used our SmartRink Profast1500, the same one that we used in Gladstone, MO, and Tenjin Hikari Square, Japan. This “hybrid” connection system uses a very unique perimeter male and female continuous ridge that is extremely tight fitting. As a result, it requires a fair degree of “persuasion” to assemble. We accomplished the task using 3 pound hammers and some solid plastic blocks. These were placed over the joint to create the world’s largest synthetic ice backyard rink.

These panels are called “hybrid” though because we can use the above-mentioned connection systems. We also use the H-Tongue connection system for the areas with solid line markings. This means SmartRink synthetic ice line markings are positively and solidly connected to the panels on either side of the lines. This is a massive advantage over our competitors who prefer to “loose lay” their lines inside surrounding panels.

Synthetic ice rink size

This rink measured 115ft x 51ft. The almost 6,000 square feet took our crew of 4 the better part of 1.5 days to lay down. There was a lot of downtime from crew having to cart panels into the work space. This was necessary as there was fencing around the entire perimeter of this synthetic ice backyard rink.

Then the molded board system was installed over the synthetic ice. There is always the issue of expansion and contraction of the synthetic ice. Therefore, we had to calculate seasonal temperature variations and determine exactly how the boards should be positioned. We were able to utilize the existing fence posts from the tennis court to secure half of the boards. Then we used a new asphalt anchoring system for the other half. The anchors holes were drilled with a hammer drill and then filled with a quick drying mortar before the anchors were inserted. The anchors had a threaded sleeve for the 4 inch hex bolts. They worked like a charm in the world’s largest rink.

The boards and netting took another day and a half. However, well within four days the rink was completed and ready for the first skate. This video shows the first game played on the surface of this backyard synthetic ice rink. Since this was fall and breezy, there was some debris on the surface from the overhead trees. Otherwise, the synthetic ice surface was a huge hit! Now they have the world’s largest synthetic ice backyard rink.

Learn how to invest in your own backyard synthetic ice rink!