The Ice Rink, In-Depth
Q. What is the temperature and thickness of the ice?
A. The ice is approximately one (1) inch thick and is held at 14 degrees Fahrenheit for proper hardness. The thicker the sheet of ice becomes, the softer and “slower” it is. Commercial ice shows often perform on “warmer,” slower ice.
Q. What is the ice surface size in the Coliseum?
A. The surface of the Coliseum rink is 200 feet long and 85 feet wide, the same size as an official NHL rink. An Olympic-size rink is 200’x100’. Fiberglass boards surround the rink at a height of about 40 inches.
Q. How does the ice stay cold on the Coliseum floor?
A. The concrete floor in the Coliseum has pipes imbedded into it which pump a solution, kept at a certain below-freezing temperature. The constantly flowing solution keeps the concrete cold enough to freeze ice on top of it.
Q. How much piping is underneath the concrete floor to keep the ice cold?
A. There is approximately four (4) miles of pipe laid down below a concrete surface to freeze the ice rink. A brine-water solution is chilled and flows continuously through the pipes 24 hours a days to keep the temperature of the ice surface at a cool 14 degrees.
Q. How many gallons of water does it take to fill the Coliseum ice rink?
A. It takes 10,600 gallons of water to make the rink ready before PrairieThunder hockey games are to be played on them.
Q. How are the markings (the red and blue lines, the goal line and crease, face-off circles and logos) applied to the ice?
A. The ice is built up to a half-inch thickness by spraying water over the concrete floor, which has the freezing pipes embedded. Then, the markings are painted on, after which additional water is sprayed to “coat” the markings and build the ice to the prescribed thickness.
Q. How many hours does it take to make the sheet of ice at the Coliseum?
A. It takes 24-36 hours to get the ice down on the Coliseum floor, depending on how many markings need to be painted on the ice.
Q. What exactly does a Zamboni do?
A. The Zamboni is a highly specialized machine that reconditions the ice – leaving a smooth surface behind. In its travel across the ice, it scrapes the loose shavings (which are later discarded) off the surface and lays down a layer of hot water. The water must be hot to melt the upper ice surfaces and weld a smooth sheet of ice. It takes just a few minutes to freeze.
Inside the PrairieThunder Locker Room
The Bloomington PrairieThunder locker room features a large common area equipped with lockers and seating for players. A state-of-the-art weight room adjoins the locker room and is available for player usage. Standard amenities and facilities such as restrooms and showers exist in the locker room for player use as well. A custom-made storage facility inside the Coliseum houses all of the player’s equipment, including pads, skates, sticks, helmets and uniforms.
