I laid out my border the 3rd week of Nov and dropped the 50’ by 100’ liner the 4th week of Nov.  This year’s rink has benches for tying skates and under the wooden box is a chimney donated by family friends, whose kids skate with my son and daughter a few times a week.  Attached to our trampoline are two light fixtures with four 1,000 watt bulbs.  This provides plenty of lighting for nighttime hockey games. 

Here is a tip for you rink enthusiasts.  My liner goes up and over my 2” by 12” boards.  I fill the rink (which took 3 days this year!!) and let it freeze.  Then, around the perimeter of the rink, I roll out landscaping burlap that comes in 2 ½‘ wide by 30’ long rolls over the boards (½ on ice side, ½ other side of boards).  Subsequent floodings keep the burlap in place. The burlap really stands up to skate blades and pucks to protect my liner!!"

Great job and thanks for the pic and the tip Eric.