Dave writes:

This is our 4th year that we have had our backyard rink and we fill it the day after Thanksgiving every year. It is 50X80 in size. We use actual hockey boards that we obtained when a local rink decided to refurbish their existing rink.
 
The boards are built with pressure treated framework and have 1/2” solid white lexan interior with red lexan backer panels. They are 42” in height. There are two 5’ wide metal-framed gates for the "ice-resurfacer" doors that open to a total of 10’ wide. The tops of the boards have 1” thick red lexan to keep it safe and solid.

The only assembly for our ice rink is the placement of the Nice Rink III liner. Assembly is approximately 4 men, 3 hours. The rink holds approx. 12,000 gallons of water at 6” depth.

The first day we skated this year was Dec.10th 2003. This year we used the Nice Rink III liner and by far it is the best we have used because of its strength and durability. Installation was a breeze.

I think what sets our rink apart from others is how it blends into the natural wooded environment in a residential area. It is surrounded by 3 sides of 50 - 60’ trees that help protect it from the sun.

I designed our rink with respect to neighbors, convenience to our warming house, sun positioning and equipment. It includes four 30’ telephone poles to support lighting and a 90’ X 12’ sun shield curtain. The lighting units are 240-volt metal halide with 1500 watts in each designed for sport lighting. The hunter green sun shield curtain is the biggest asset by far for our rink because the sun can be your worst enemy when it comes to making good, hard crisp ice.
 
Our rink includes a fire pit, a changing room, a stereo system, a sitting wall, a 20’ x 25’ brick patio and a heavy gauge black chain link fence 9’ in height to contain pucks and balls because of the 4 season use. Our warming house is a 10’ x 14’ building complete with 100amp service, windows for viewing, doors and a 4’ overhang on the front to stand outside in the elements. The rear of the building has a 10’ overhang to store snow blowers, power ice edger, shovels and any other ice maintenance equipment.

One of the most important components of our rink is the hot water supply located 8’ away from the rink. No more long hoses. The water source delivers 10 gpms of 110 to 120 degree water continuously from our house hot water system. The water system also has a commercial air compressor that delivers enough air to blow out the line every time we make new ice. The hot water is a huge asset in maintaining great ice surface conditions.

Most importantly our rink and the atmosphere that we have created has been wonderful for families and friends to enjoy all year through.

Simply awesome Dave. This is "big league" rink building. Thanks for the pics.