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INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION

You can buildan ice rink everywhereChapter 1

1.1 Introduction of the Manual /IIHF Prototype

A covered ice rink is not an impossibledream. How can it be? After all, there are over2700 rinks in Canada alone! There are rinks incountries and cities, which never have had snowor ice.

This manual from the International IceHockey Federation intends to show that buildingan ice rink is possible anywhere in the world. Thebasic element is enthusiasm and some entrepre-neurship.

We want to target ice hockey clubs andleisure organisations that have the ambition totake their program to another level and showthem how to successfully construct, manage andoperate an ice rink. This manual also targets thedecision makers, politicians in the communities and

municipalities and presents them with ideas howto make building an ice rink financially feasible.

The local rink is far from only being a placewhere you practise and play ice hockey. Specialsocial patterns can develop within the confines ofan ice rink, and there are many ”rink rats“ whohave spent long hours at the rink without everlacing a pair of skates. Parents who assist theirchildren, volunteers who sell hot dogs during aweekend junior tournament or take a shift drivingthe ice resurfacer.

By building an ice rink, more than just thegame of ice hockey prospers. In many communi-ties, the ice rink has become the centre of social lifewhere many other activities can be performed. Anice rink can also be used for figure skating, fairs, ex-hibitions, minor conventions and coaching clinics. Bycovering the ice sheet during off-season the arenacan be utilized for other indoor sports such as bas-ketball, indoor soccer, handball and inline hockey.

There are several examples where an icerink has served as a boost for a whole community.This manual wants to be the inspiration to startlooking and finding ways and solutions in order tobuild a community rink.

In this manual we will introduce a prototypethat is not the cheapest possible solution to builda small ice rink. The prototype is a product of amarketing approach. It is a concept that offersmodern comfort to visitors, both active and pas-sive, through modern ice rink construction tech-niques. The rink should be an appealing place toall potential visitors. It should be safe, comfortableand give visitors the opportunity to enjoy theirstay, whether it’s on the ice, in the small but com-fortable restaurant, in the stands or in the dressingroom. The rink should also be easy to maintain,with low overhead and investment costs.

The writers of this manual feel that theprototype reflects all these wishes. The aestheticdesign is the icing on the cake. We hope that youwill be as fascinated as we are about the concept.

1.2 Introduction to ice hockeyIce hockey is a product of evolution stem-

ming from existing sports, coupled with geo-graphical and cultural parameters. Further, it is ateam sport enjoyed by millions of players world-wide and viewed by millions more. It has beenproclaimed the ”fastest team sport in the world“

You can have an ice sheet in the desert in theUnited Arab Emirates or, as on this picture, in sunnyCalifornia.

Prototype of an IIHF rink

INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION

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The Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal, Canada. The site of the first ever hockey game, March 3, 1875.

and the object of the game, simply stated, is toscore more goals than your opponent does. Thefact that each team uses six players, including thegoaltender showcases individual skill within a teamconcept, which ultimately provides a dynamic sportexperience that is unique from game to game.

While the exact origins of the game can bedebated, it is generally accepted that ice hockeyas is played today, took shape on Canada’s EastCoast between the mid to late 1800’s. A form ofbandy or ”Hurley on ice“ became logical for thesettlers to this new land when confronted withthe harsh winter conditions. Over time, local ruleswere implemented and equipment, particularlyskates and the stick, were manufactured specifi-cally for ice hockey. As popularity for the gameincreased over time, the sport began to be ex-ported to other countries, especially as travel itselfbecame easier. Many refinements regarding rulesand equipment were instituted around the turn ofthe century but modifications still continue todayas ongoing efforts to improve the game both onand off the ice persist.

The first recorded indoor ice hockey gametook place at Victoria Skating Rink in Montrealway back in 1875. From those modest beginnings,the game has transformed into a major modernindoor sport. The impact of enclosed arenas tothe game is hard to overestimate. Technology has

recently afforded the sport of ice hockey substan-tial opportunities to expand globally. No longer afunction of climate, current facility constructionallows ice hockey and skating in general to nowbe accommodated virtually anywhere in the world.

It might be significant to note that it hasbeen historically documented that a containedcovered rink contributed to a common communityspirit. This social type of gathering still plays animportant part of today’s society, enabling peoplewith similar interests to get together and cheer ontheir local ice hockey teams for the purposes ofentertainment and civic pride. From an industryperspective, an indoor arena provides a greaterpotential to generate revenue because games canbe played year round, regardless of the weather.Further, top class events can be planned with cer-tainty, providing a guarantee of sorts to sponsors,spectators and even media, including television.

With this in mind, it is not surprising thatthe appeal of the game goes far beyond just theparticipants. Ice hockey is an extremely popularspectator sport, whether it is viewed in personor via a television broadcast. Either way both menand women of all ages enjoy the fast paced actionthat is witnessed during a typical ice hockey match.Aside from the general traits required to excel atthis sport, such as endurance, strength, balanceand good hand-eye coordination, players show-

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INTERNATIONAL ICE HOCKEY FEDERATION

Chap

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case a variety of skills specific to the game itself.This includes not only the ability to skate withinthe context of the contact sport that hockey is,but also to be able to stickhandle and shoot thepuck while in motion.

Because of the mass appeal, the gamelends itself to be marketable from a number ofperspectives. Corporations frequently benefit fromtheir association with this dynamic sport andcan brand its product or service via the game. Thedemographics of ice hockey, despite variationsfrom country to country, reveal that most arenapatrons are aware of advertising within the build-ing, and typically have a higher than averageincome. When mixed with an exciting product onthe ice, all parties stand to benefit.

Today, corporations go beyond the tradi-tional static advertising as has been evident withinthe rink and on the equipment of the playersthemselves. In a sense they exhibit a form of

vertical integration, actually taking ownership ofthe building and/or sport franchise in efforts togenerate a greater awareness of the companyand ultimately additional revenues. Similarly, inNorth America, a trend has started with profes-sional ice hockey teams building skating facilitieslocally as a way to develop and nurture a grass-roots core of players who become spectators andpurchasers of team merchandise. By entering therink ownership and operation business, the teamand any associated partners strive for long-termgrowth in their local market.

Therefore, where traditionally a skatingfacility was viewed primarily as part of the commu-nity’s infrastructure, not unlike a park or a library,today’s arena projects are examined in economicterms with revenue and expense implications.Naming rights, private boxes, concession, alongwith innovative advertising opportunities are justa few examples.

Modern professional ice hockey is played in 10 000 plus arenas. The action is fast-paced and the competition fierce.Here, Canada plays Russia in the IIHF World Championship.