Building an ice rink

[Chadd 916]

If all the financial information here about ice rinks is correct, then how do any of them stay open??? No business is worth going into if you aren't profitable. My guess is that a lot of the rinks are owned by local governments and therefore get the local tax dollars to pay the bills. Is that system correct or am I way off here?

Looks like I'll just have to win the lottery (and a big one at that) in order to have my own rink someday.

One local rink is for profit and ekes out a profit mostly because they have the largest youth hockey program, figure skating club and adult leagues playing there. (two sheet)

One was a private enterprise that went under and is now part of the city/county recreation department. They made a lot of mistakes but have the nicest facility in the area by a wide margin. (two sheet)

Another is a non-profit organization with a board of directors made up of hockey and figure skating parents. They have no adult league and virtually nothing going on there other than their youth program, figure skating and high school hockey. It is empty most of the spring and summer and about 18 hours a day in the winter. They have lost a ton of money and I can't imagine they will be around much longer. (single sheet)

There is one about five miles from the last one that deals almost exclusively in adult hockey and they have a very robust league and a lot of private rentals. It's an old facility, not very nice and I do my best to avoid going there. I have no idea about their profitability. (single sheet)

You also have the local AHL building that can be rented in the winter, as well as their old building. Best ice rates in the area as well as the largest locker rooms and best facilities. It really doesn't take much for these buildings to be profitable as one was build 80 years ago and has been paid off for decades and the other just sells ice to make extra money in the down time during the season.

There is also an "outdoor" rink at one of the local private schools. They have their junior high and varsity practices there as well as a lot of private games run by employees there.

Despite all of that, there was a new facility built about a year ago. There really wasn't enough demand but they built it right in the middle of all the other rinks and are struggling to get by. They have the highest ice and league fees in the area and are I can't imagine they will be around long in their current incarnation.

[jds 20]

Oh you would have to post that... I'm going to be drooling for hours now.

http://www.customicerinks.com/portfolio/re...ial/potomac.htm

This one is my favourite. I was talking to one of the company owners and he said that for this one the client wanted to be able to play tennis or basketball in the facility as well so the floor is painted with the necessary lines and can be dry within 24 hours. The chillers that maintain the ice are then used to keep the building cool for basketball. Tons of bucks but pretty sweet to have that in your backyard!

This one is Cujo's

http://www.customicerinks.com/portfolio/residential/king.htm

[xrickyb86x 1]

http://www.customicerinks.com/portfolio/re...ial/potomac.htm

This one is my favourite. I was talking to one of the company owners and he said that for this one the client wanted to be able to play tennis or basketball in the facility as well so the floor is painted with the necessary lines and can be dry within 24 hours. The chillers that maintain the ice are then used to keep the building cool for basketball. Tons of bucks but pretty sweet to have that in your backyard!

This one is Cujo's

http://www.customicerinks.com/portfolio/residential/king.htm

I would imagine it's hard to play in the first one with the sunlight and shadows on the ice. Am I wrong?

[raganblink 82]

http://www.customicerinks.com/portfolio/re...ial/potomac.htm

This one is my favourite. I was talking to one of the company owners and he said that for this one the client wanted to be able to play tennis or basketball in the facility as well so the floor is painted with the necessary lines and can be dry within 24 hours. The chillers that maintain the ice are then used to keep the building cool for basketball. Tons of bucks but pretty sweet to have that in your backyard!

This one is Cujo's

http://www.customicerinks.com/portfolio/residential/king.htm

Second one kinda looks like SlapShot3

[DarkStar50 679]

Cujo put up advertising on the walls. That's weird. On another note, I am surprised by all the different size rinks they have built.

[jds 20]

They did the big ass one beside Niagara Falls (Canadian side) this year as well.

[Zamboni 6]

there's a new arena here in Vancouver. two rinks built from scratch along with a minor reno to a 60 year old rink. cost: $57 million.

it's nice, but not amazing.

new construction is EXPENSIVE. don't fool yourselves. to make money and attract fine organizations, you need more than a good ice surface, four walls and a roof.

Four years ago Whitby built a 3 sheet arena (McKinney) with large meeting rooms upstairs, concession stand, pro shop etc for 12 mil.

110,000 residents, 10 pads and kids still will be practicing weekdays before school next season because of lack of ice....there are locations arenas can turn profits. Those going into the business should study how others have grown the game in areas with high demand.