Starting an ice skating rink involves careful planning and execution. Begin with a thorough assessment of potential locations, considering zoning, accessibility, and infrastructure. Develop a comprehensive business plan, incorporating market research and financial projections.
Steps to Start a Skating Rink
- Choose the Name
- Develop Your Business Plan
- Start construction on the rink
- Purchase skating equipment and hire staff
- Market the rink to the public and promote events
Roller rinks range in size from 2,500 to 12,000 square meters. The minimum size for a championship event is 25mx50m. With a 1,100sqft rink, you can fit around 50 skaters comfortably.
Most rinks offer party packages and sell food and drinks to attract customers and increase profitability. Essentials to opening a skating rink include finding a supplier for skates and equipment, renting a building, and getting music.
Startup Costs and Profitability
Startup costs range from $19,000 to $39,000. You’ll need:
- Roller skating rink
- Roller skates
- Financing through private investors, loans, or grants
There’s no definitive answer on whether roller skating is making a comeback as it’s difficult to measure the popularity.
Natural and Artificial Rinks
To build the rink, pull a string across where the wall will be positioned and use the outside holes on the brackets for seam installations. Build the reference wall and prepare the subfloor before installing the skating surface.
Ice-World Mobile Rink Construction
An Ice-World mobile rink can be built in 24 hours using a step-by-step plan:
- Find a good flat build surface like asphalt or concrete, and if not level, install on wood flooring.
- Measure the rink’s dimensions and cut the liner accordingly to create a barrier between the ground and water.
Finalizing Your Ice Rink
Decide on the type and size of the rink and whether to build or buy, use plastic or liner, and if refrigeration is necessary. To create the skating surface, spray water in thin layers so it immediately freezes, building the ice in layers.
When building a backyard rink, account for uneven ground and existing structures. For example, if using an area with existing railroad tie borders that isn’t perfectly level, you may need to build up one side with compost and add a 4×4 to even it out, giving the water more room.
Remember that an ice rink won’t necessarily kill grass with proper construction and is best built when temperatures are lower to gain thickness overnight.