Build Your Own Backyard Ice Rink in 9 Easy Steps

By Wendy Ann Mitchell (Patch Staff)

Any fathers out there pining for the “Dad of the Year” award will surely win when they dazzle and amaze their kids with a cool backyard ice skating rink (pun intended).

One dad from Bethel, Conn. did just that. Rob Wallace, co-owner of Daily Fare, wanted to give his son another place to practice ice hockey, so he built this amazing backyard skating rink (see photo #2).

“That’s the bustling New England hamlet of Bethel,” he said about the photo, “It’s our private Rockefeller Center.”

His wife Robin said, “Rob may beat Mike Brady for Dad of the Year.”

Wallace said he used the following supplies to create his DIY ice rink.

Supplies needed:

4,000 gallons of water
25 lengths of rebar
10 railroad ties
12 sandbags
150 square feet of plywood
50 feet of 3” PVC pipe
75 C9 bulbs
A 50x32 tarp
A few happy kids
Here’s a “How To” from Boston.com:

Measure the slope of your yard
Build any necessary reinforcements to make up for the slope
Frame out the border of your rink with PVC pipe or lumber
Build your braces and measure out/place your braces or rebar
Place and secure your plywood boards
Install your liner
Fill with water, in stages (preferably on a day slightly above freezing)
Staple liner to boards when 100% full
Maintain your rink, keeping it clear of snow and adding water each night
Safety Tips from SafeKids.org

Every skater should wear a helmet. Wrist guards, knee pads and elbow pads are a good idea for everyone, but especially for beginners. Mouth guards are good protection against broken teeth.
Children should ride on smooth, dry surfaces located in a well-lit area away from traffic.
Teach children to check skates and boards for problems before each use. If there are any cracked, loose or broken parts, the item should not be used until it is repaired.
Teach children to minimize the impact of a fall by crouching down as they lose balance to reduce the distance to the surface.

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Photo 1: Krista Peryer. Photo 2: Robin Grubard