Backyard Rink
I really can’t believe this weather we are having as it is January 24th and it is lightly raining outside and 34ºF. The little bit of snow that we had is going to be gone quickly. I am going to continue to assume more snow is coming but at this point and looking ahead at the weather I think I made the right call on my own backyard rink.. as painful as it is was.
Backyard Rink Update: December 27
Such a strange winter this has been… I should step back to say that originally I was kind of on the fence if I didn’t want to do a hockey rink this year just because I felt it was not used as much as I would have liked to have seen it last year. However, on a whim and looking at weather forecasts in November I quickly decided to put the boards up and then order a tarp from a new company. Then the weather started to get warm and I waited…. and waited… Like I have done since learning that valuable lesson in my earlier years. However, fast forward to today and it is December 27th and the weather may maybe getting close to the right conditions as you can see from my chart below but I am asking myself a very important question. Am I going to finish building the rink for the 2023-2024 Season?
Such a hard questions as I have a streak going of 9 years and not to mention a good handful of the work is already done with the boards up.
I guess I always do say never say never so who knows maybe in the last moment I will change my mind but I don’t think so as of right now. I don’t take it lightly though breaking a good streak right before a round number but this winter is not what I would have expected and once January 2nd hits everyone will be busy again as normally between Christmas and New Year is when we use the rink the most. Hopefully, looking forward to the 2024-2025 season as I will still have the tarp now and should be ready to go. Guess I will have to (unless I change my mind) since everything is purchased and only labor is needed.
Cannot believe it is 50°F today in Minnesota on December 14th. If you have been at the edge of your seat wondering what is up with my backyard rink, lets just say nothing and this is why. As each day goes by I am wondering if I will actually do it this year or if it will just end up being to late.
Rink Update: Seeing how I made the decision to make a backyard rink again this year it is that time of year I start watching the weather in the upcoming 10 days. Looking today, I don’t really see a time in the near future that I am going to start flooding. 😔 🏒
Well… Decisions were made and I got most of the structure in place for the backyard rink tonight. 🏒
The deconstruction starts… See you next year Backyard Rink 👋
Well I am not sure what to think with this constant rain all day. I am fairly confident that it is not helping that rink as there is puddles out there… Is it spring already? 🌧️
Well done to these kids braving the cold and putting good use to the outdoor rink late into the night. 🏒
After a late night at the ER it was an early morning to wake up as the Ice Ops crew needed to resurface the ice. 🏒🥅🧊
Ready for the skaters now!
2022-2023 Ice Ops update: This weather with the other issue is not looking good for the rink conditions… 🌧️
With the temperature hitting a low of 5°F (-15°C) the rink was making lots of ice last night and has a nice layer on top… 🧊
Flooding Complete: A little over 18hrs of flooding brining my 9th year of this to a close. This year size was 54’ x 32’ and has about 14,041 Gallons (53,151 L) of water. Now I wait for it to freeze and keep my fingers crossed no leaks or sides blow out. 🏒
Now that my city upgraded our water meters and I have an app I can check it with, I realize that my calculation last year was way off. Guess I didn’t know how to read it or something but this year will be much more accurate but also with that much more shocking 😱
Flooding Update: 12 hours in.. things are progressing nicely but at this point we have not covered the base but should in the next hour.
💦 Still watching water fill my backyard rectangle up and praying there isn’t a leak… Also, testing out the beta status.lol app 😉
Flooding update: 8hrs in and still going well but the ground is not covered yet. Also, some of the snow chucks have been sticking up in the tarp so I am keeping my fingers crossed it won’t tear a hole in it. 🫣💦🏒
Flooding update: 2hrs in and things are progressing nicely as water is touching all of the back wall at this point. No leaks but at some point tonight before this gets too far along I need to put up some support braces 🤨
It’s that time of year again when the air is cold and I am going to pump a lot of water in my backyard that hopefully freezes. Let’s go! 💦🧊🏒
Doesn’t everyone spend a break in their day snow blowing their backyard instead of eating lunch or doing something else important?
Before
After… Now we are ready to flood at some point maybe this weekend
