Hockey is (almost) back!

Hockey is (almost) back!

In this episode of Surely You Didn’t Know, I will take you through the process of installing the ice here at Benchmark International Arena. Ahead of the start of the season, first the concrete floor is cooled to 16°. It is lined with drywall tape and then it is sprayed with water. While the surface is being prepped, the white paint is being made with powder paint, 400 to 500 lb of it. Water and ice. This floor changes from brown to white pretty quickly. And after more layers of water, it is ready for yarn, which is frozen into the ice, serving as a border for the lines and paint. It is used to fill everything except the red line, which is a vinyl mesh material that rolls out across the ice. Now, the center ice logo is something special. We, well, I only contributed about two strokes, paint it. But below it, there is a lightning bolt with the names of Bolt for Life members, partners, sweethearters, and full-time employees like me on it. As soon as the painting is finished, the rink is flooded continuously until the ice is about 1 and 1/2 in thick. It is nearly game time. Can you handle it? How’d it go, Patrick? Wonderful. Great. Go Bolts.