Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/326847
of them said they would make it bigger." Hargest expanded his original plan of a small 60' x 40' training rink to a size just shy of an NHL sheet at 120' x 60'. The next plan of action was to have someone build it. He found Wytek Construction, a company that specializes in building high-efficiency homes. "We've never built an ice rink before. It's not something that is found a lot in Florida," said Wytek Construction owner Dan Wytek. "We knew we had to have a very specific system and insulation. We didn't want any heat to be gained from the walls. What we ended up with was perfect. We would love to build more." Hargest didn't want a rink that he would have to drain every month. He wanted it to last, so he and Wytek knew the insulation was going to be key. "If they would recommend 4 inches of insulation, I'd say why not 5," said Hargest. "We ended up with 6 inches. Just by adding a little bit more, we made it as tight as possible." Insulation combined with concrete provided the Ice Barn with the perfect seal from the outside heat. By spending more on the insulation and upfront costs, Hargest decreased monthly costs dramati- cally. On average, he spends $1,500 to $2,000 on electricity and gas. "I wanted it to work so well that I would rather put money into the building of it rather than maintenance every month and down the road," said Hargest. Energy Efficient The Ice Barn has not only saved costs in the long term, but also has become environ- mentally friendly in the process. Hargest's rink was recently named a certi- fied green building through the home energy rating system. On a scale of 1 to 100, it scored a 65, proving to be 35 percent more efficient than a building constructed to regular code. "I don't know that we were necessarily trying to make it a green building," Hargest said. "But to me, it was very important to have something that would work and not just drain me on bills every month. That's how it ended up being energy-efficient." The dehumidification in the Ice Barn is a Munters A-10 Desiccant Dehumidifier. It was an important aspect with the rink located in Florida. The Ice Barn also utilizes a Low-E Ceiling and closed cell-foam insu- lation for energy efficiency. The refrigeration equipment is a low- maintenance Trane package system. "By putting in the time and research, it paid off," said Dave Wescott. "It's a great plan with very low maintenance, cost and energy use." Something for Everyone "Some people buy boats or beach houses," said Hargest. "I built a hockey rink." Hargest is a native of Manitoba, Canada. STARRINKS.COM MAY.JUNE.2014 / 19 PHOTOS: COURTESY OF ICE BARN , Six inches of insulation and concrete help keep the heat out of the facility. , Continued on page 20 "WE'VE NEVER BUILT AN ICE RINK BEFORE. IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT IS FOUND A LOT IN FLORIDA. WE WOULD LOVE TO BUILD MORE." – DAN WYTEK, CONTRACTOR AND BUILDER OF THE ICE BARN