Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/797481
38 / MARCH.APRIL.2017 USICERINKS.COM go three laps around the perimeter before going up the middle of the ice. Varying the ice resurfacer pattern will help to minimize the number of times the ice resurfacer goes over the goal crease area throughout the day. This area should also be built up at the end of each day with light sprays as described previously. 5. Cross-Cutting Cross-cutting is necessary to maintain that nice level sheet of ice. This is due to the fact that the ice resurfacer travels up and down the length of the ice several times during the day but never across the width of the rink, so naturally this will cause ridges and unevenness on the ice sheet. Cross-cutting is a quick and easy process that if completed every couple of days will help to keep the sheet level. Large figure-8 patterns performed at the end of the day every two to three days will make this a quick process. Operators should learn how to do this pattern over the entire ice sheet, removing about one full bin of snow in the same amount of time it would take to complete a regular ice resurface. 6. High Corners Corners are a real issue for ice rink operators, and there are a few things factoring into this. Not edging is a key factor in build-up in corners, as is operators who use an excessive amount of water during ice resurfacing. Also, worn- out board brushes and tires studs on the ice resurfacers contribute to ice build-up in the corners. Worn-out tire studs, you might ask? Yes, worn-out tire studs on the ice resurfacer! Ice resurfacers with worn-out tire studs cannot go through a corner without sliding, so the operator must slow down excessively, causing build-up in the corners. The only way to stay on top of corner build-up is edging and shaving with the ice resurfacer. One good idea for creating a visual reference for addressing high corners is to use a two-inch hole saw along with a quarter-inch drill bit to mark the high areas of the ice. You will set the center drill bit to the depth that you are trying to achieve. For example, if you set the drill bit to one inch below the cutting edge of the hole saw, and then drill into the ice at several points along the radius of the corners, the hole saw blade will cut a circle into the ice anywhere the ice is thicker than one inch. By marking the high spots on the rink with these circles you now have a visual reference to look for when shaving the ice with the ice resurfacer. Once the circles are gone, you will know that you are at the precise depth that you want. Depending on the programming schedule at your rink and the amount of water your operators use during ice resurfacing will determine how quickly the corners build up, and the amount of time needed each week to shave down the corners. We all need to keep in mind that the ice thickness has a direct impact on our utility bills and ice quality. It is easier and less costly to do ice maintenance on a daily basis instead of spending hours one day trying to correct the mistakes of the last six days. Staff training and communication are important keys to the success of the ice maintenance program. J , For low spots around the net have operators change cutting pattern regularly. PHOTO: RINK ARCHIVES Keep in mind that the ice thickness has a direct impact on our utility bills and ice quality.