36 / MARCH.APRIL.2017 USICERINKS.COM
PHOTO: RINK ARCHIVES
I
n this day of high utility
bills it is still amazing
to
see the inconsistencies in ice levels
in rinks. Some have ice that is much
thicker than it should be; ice that is so thin
in the middle that parts of the center ice
logo are missing, and so thick in the corners
that you can barely see the kick plate.
Remember, ice maintenance is an
ongoing process that all operators must
understand and embrace. Hopefully we
can dispel some myths, provide some
tips and stimulate good discussion with
this article.
1. Ice Thickness
Often times when we ask ice resurfacer
operators how thick their ice sheet is
we normally get one of two answers: "I
have no idea," or "I think around one
to two inches." The reason they don't
know for sure is because they either don't
measure the ice thickness regularly, or
the person who does doesn't share the
information with them. It's not fair to
expect the operations staff to keep a level
ice sheet if they do not know what the
depths are at any given time. Taking ice
depth measurements at least once a week
5 steps to consistent, level ice.
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