Temporary Ice Skating Rinks - How do they do it?!

Firstly, you need an area large enough area to erect a large flat platform; city centre set-ups usually include an area to change footwear and queue as well. Once you have the main construction of this flat usable surface large mats which house a piping system are rolled out across the base.

These ice mats typically contain 20 ml aluminium tubing in a rollable composite matrix. This network of piping is then filled with a Glycol and water mix which has a freezing point of -25ºC. This is cooled to a temperature of between -6°C and -7°C and a header/manifold then manages the distribution of the cooling fluid to ensure all areas of the matting are at an equally low temperature.

Once this set-up is in place tap water is run over the matting and left to freeze. To freeze, and keep frozen, such a large expanse of water you need a lot of chilling power. A temporary Ice Rink might need up to three 200 kW chillers to keep the ice in prime skating condition. This size and level of industrial chiller needs a lot of power to operate and, with the usual location of temporary ice rinks, generators are needed.

Once you've sorted the portable air conditioning units, chiller hire and generator hire you can freeze a large expanse of water which an Ice Skating professional will be able to condition to create the best service for ice skating.

So setting up a portable ice rink is that easy!

There are different fundamentals between indoor ice rinks and outdoor ice rinks. An indoor ice rink can be coated with a conditioner which maintains the ice, keeps it smooth and reduces wear and tear. This is not possible for outdoor ice rinks so machinery has to be used to ensure the ice is always of the highest quality.

If you are wishing to set-up a temporary ice skating rink indoors then the situation can become very complicated. It is important that you hire the right air conditioning for the job. The indoor area must be kept cool enough for the ice to remain frozen and this means all the latent heat which is created by the people using the ice rink needs to be extracted.

Carrier Rental Systems have been setting up temporary ice rinks for several years and are highly experienced in providing these excellent attractions. Whether you require a rental ice rink or to hire ice plant for:

* A city centre Christmas temporary ice rink.
* To provide a themed hospitality event, or advertising programme.
* Use on a film or TV project - studio or outside broadcast.
* A sporting event with championship quality ice.

Carrier are the people to call!