Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/564866
36 / SEPTEMBER.OCTOBER.2015 RINKMAGAZINE.COM ASK STAR You have rink questions, STAR has rink answers Send your rink questions to: INFO@STARRINKS.COM THE THRESHOLD AT OUR ICE RESURFACER GATES WAS DAMAGED DURING ICE REMOVAL LAST SEASON. ARE THERE ANY SOLUTIONS FOR REPLACEMENT? This is a common occurrence at rinks across the nation. It's certainly happened in the 15 years of our arena's operation. What usually happens is anchors get pulled out of the floor, leaving a gauge in the metal threshold. The good news is, the threshold will survive a hit like this, but damage to the mounting locations is a side effect. This often results in the threshold needing constant attention. In our particular mishap, the main issue on just buying a new replacement threshold was that the company that supplied the dasher board system went out of business. Contacting a dasher board manufacturer to have a custom unit designed, made, and then installed was an option, but at a high cost. That's where we got a little creative. There were new lobby benches being utilized that had the plastic 2"x10" lumber for the seating surface. Since many older facilities used wooden thresholds, the plastic lumber would be a solid choice. The Process We went with a 12-foot, 2"×10" piece of the plastic lumber. This allowed it to be custom cut to the actual opening of the gate area. Width-wise, since no kickplate was going to be added onto the ice side, the backside was trimmed so the door guide wheels won't come in contact. The mounting surface needed to be smooth, so the old anchors that had pulled out of the floor need to be ground down flush. To mount the plastic to the concrete, it was decided to go a little overboard on the anchors. That was chosen due to some of the unknown factors. Our biggest concern was getting ice underneath the plastic, causing it to bend upward. Also, more anchors would provide coverage if any failed. Nine bolt anchors were spaced out to provide the extra holding power. The nine holes were drilled out to hold a threaded insert, commonly used in locker room wall mounted benching. The glue used was a two-part epoxy, which was able to cure in a cold and wet environment. The epoxy needed to setup for 48 hours. With a little extra finessing, all nine of the bolts were securely mounted. All mounting locations were counter-sunk so the bolt head and washer would be out of harm's way of accidental contact from a resurfacer blade. The kickplate on the doors was also replaced as the new threshold is about a half inch shorter than before. The Verdict? The plastic lumber threshold replacement has worked out fantastic! It has been in place about a year and has worked really well. There is some battle damage from an edger, along with blade marks left when a driver forgot to pick up the conditioner, but aside from that it's been a successful alternative to a replacement. J Casey Murdough is the Building Supervisor/Ice Technician for the Wheaton Ice Arena in Wheaton, Maryland. He earned his CIT back in 2004, and earned his CRA and CIRM at NARCE this past May. Murdough was recently elected to the STAR Board of Directors At-Large seat. A: Q: To mount the plastic to the concrete, it was decided to go a little overboard on the anchors. That was chosen due to some of the unknown factors. Our biggest concern was getting ice underneath the plastic, causing it to bend upward. Also, more anchors would provide coverage if any failed. , With a little creativity, you can repair and replace thresholds at a low cost. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF STAR