Amanda Knapp
Arenas that host both basketball and hockey games have to undergo a conversion process to switch between the two sports. The process involves removing the walls and glass panels surrounding a hockey rink, laying out insulated plywood over the ice, and assembling the basketball court on top. The insulated plywood keeps the basketball court warm while maintaining the ice rink underneath it. The process can be completed within a couple of hours with a large crew and reversed to prepare for the next hockey game. Additionally, scoreboards may need to be adapted for the different requirements of each sport.
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What You'll Learn
The flooring is changed
Arenas that host both basketball and hockey games need to be able to convert between the two sports quickly and efficiently. The flooring is a critical aspect of this conversion process.
The basketball floor is typically installed directly over the ice rink used for hockey. This involves laying wooden planks over the frozen ice, with a layer of insulated padding placed between the ice and the basketball floor to prevent the latter from getting too cold. This process can be completed relatively quickly, making it possible to convert the arena between the two sports in a short amount of time.
In some cases, the ice rink may be covered with a special ice floor cover before the basketball floor is installed. This is especially common in larger venues or when there is not enough time to remove and reinstall the ice between events. The ice is not melted and remains frozen underneath the cover.
When converting from basketball to hockey, the basketball floor and any underlying insulation are removed, and the ice rink is revealed. The dasher boards, glass walls, and penalty boxes that are typical of a hockey rink are then assembled.
The seating layout for the two sports may also differ. Basketball arenas typically have seating right up to the back of the players on the floor, while hockey arenas need to have the seating set back slightly to accommodate the glass walls and other structures.
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Scoreboards are adapted
Scoreboards are another feature that requires conversion when changing an arena from basketball to hockey use. The scoreboard used for these two sports is different, but the conversion can be simple. Newer scoreboards are designed for multi-sport use and can be used for both hockey and basketball with a simple conversion. This may involve changing a few title displays over the digits or using small LED panels that can display text and be changed from reading "penalty" to "fouls" with the flip of a switch. Some arenas also feature large LED displays that can be easily adapted for different sports.
In addition to scoreboards, seating layouts may need to be adjusted when converting an arena from basketball to hockey use. Basketball typically has seating right up to the back of the players on the floor, while hockey requires the seating to be set back a little to accommodate the glass walls installed. This needs to be designed and planned in advance. The flooring is also a critical aspect of the conversion process. The basketball floor is typically laid over the frozen hockey rink, with a layer of insulated padding in between to prevent the basketball floor from becoming too cold.
The ice rink itself is not usually removed between games. Instead, it is kept frozen and covered with insulated plywood and the basketball court on top. This process can be completed in as little as a couple of hours with a large crew or up to a full day with a smaller crew. The ice is maintained using an ice-bearing concrete slab embedded with miles of pipes filled with brinewater, an antifreeze agent, to keep the ice frozen.
The transformation from a basketball court to a hockey rink, and vice versa, is a common practice in many cities with arenas shared by professional basketball and hockey teams. This allows for the efficient utilisation of space and resources, although it requires careful planning and consideration of the unique requirements of each sport.
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Protective glass walls are assembled for hockey
The process of assembling the protective glass walls for hockey involves several steps and requires careful planning and execution. Here is a step-by-step guide on how the protective glass walls are assembled for a hockey game:
- Arena Design and Planning: When constructing a new arena, the design must consider the space required for the protective glass walls and any necessary support structures. The arena should be designed to accommodate the glass walls and provide safe access for players and spectators.
- Glass Type Selection: The type of glass used for the protective walls is crucial. Common options include tempered glass, plexiglass or acrylic (plastic) sheets, and polycarbonate panels. Tempered glass is known for its strength and impact resistance, while plexiglass and acrylic provide excellent shock absorption and flexibility. Polycarbonate panels offer a balance between strength and flexibility.
- Glass Panel Installation: Once the glass type is selected, the glass panels are carefully installed along the sides and ends of the rink. The glass panels are typically mounted on dasher boards or supported by a frame. Each panel can weigh upwards of 170 pounds, so proper handling and installation techniques are essential.
- Safety Measures: After the glass panels are installed, additional safety measures may be implemented. This includes ensuring that the glass is securely held in place, inspecting for any cracks or weaknesses, and testing the impact resistance. Any necessary adjustments or repairs should be made before the hockey game takes place.
It is important to note that the assembly process may vary slightly depending on the specific arena and the glass wall system being used. In some cases, the protective glass walls may be temporary structures that can be easily assembled and disassembled, especially when the arena is used for multiple sports, such as basketball and hockey.
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The basketball court is heavy enough to stay in place
Arenas that host both basketball and hockey games have a multi-purpose design that allows them to switch between the two sports. This process involves converting the playing surface, along with making adjustments to the surrounding infrastructure.
When transforming from a hockey rink to a basketball court, the walls and glass panels surrounding the hockey rink are removed. Then, a layer of insulated plywood is laid out across the ice surface. This plywood serves a critical function by providing insulation, ensuring that the basketball court remains warm while the ice below stays frozen. The plywood also provides a stable base for the basketball court.
The basketball court is constructed on top of the plywood. It is made up of numerous heavy wooden pieces, each weighing around 175-190 pounds. The entire court can weigh upwards of 25 tons. This substantial weight is a key factor in keeping the basketball court in place. With such a heavy court, there is no need to worry about it sliding on the ice during gameplay.
The process of assembling the basketball court involves carefully piecing together the heavy wooden components like a puzzle. Each piece must be precisely positioned and locked into place, and the crew uses a sledgehammer to tighten the connections. This intricate process ensures that the basketball court is securely assembled and ready for use.
The weight of the basketball court plays a crucial role in maintaining stability during games. With a weight of over 25 tons, the court exerts a significant downward force, preventing it from sliding or shifting on the ice surface beneath. This static friction ensures that the court remains firmly in place, providing a safe and stable playing surface for athletes.
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The ice rink is kept frozen
Arenas that host both basketball and hockey games have to employ some clever techniques to ensure the ice rink is kept frozen when basketball games are being played. The ice itself is maintained at 16 degrees Fahrenheit by chillers, which freeze around 10,000 gallons of deionized water pumped onto a slab of concrete embedded with miles of pipes filled with brine water (an antifreeze agent). This creates a layer of ice that's about three-quarters of an inch thick.
When it's time for a basketball game, the ice rink is not melted. Instead, the ice is kept frozen and the walls and glass panels around the rink are removed. Then, large pieces of insulated plywood are laid out over the ice. This plywood is designed to keep the basketball court warm while the ice remains cool. The basketball court is then pieced together like a puzzle on top of the plywood. Each piece of the court weighs between 175 and 190 pounds, and the entire court weighs more than 25 tons, which is heavy enough to prevent it from sliding on the ice.
This process can be completed relatively quickly, depending on the number of workers available. With two dozen workers, it can take just a couple of hours, while a smaller crew may require a full workday. After the basketball game, the process is reversed, and the plywood and basketball court are removed to prepare the ice for the next hockey game.
At the end of the hockey season, the ice rink can be defrosted by heating the brine water through the slab, making it easier to break up and remove the ice.
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Frequently asked questions
To convert a basketball court to a hockey rink, the walls and glass panels are removed, and large pieces of insulated plywood are laid out over the ice. Then, the basketball floor is pieced together like a puzzle on top of the plywood. The plywood keeps the basketball court warm and the ice rink cool. The process is reversed to switch back to a hockey rink.
Depending on the system used and the crew size and efficiency, the time taken to convert a basketball court to a hockey rink can range from 90 minutes to a full day.
One challenge is ensuring that the basketball court does not slide on the ice. The court is heavy enough to stay in place on its own, but it is still crucial to ensure that it is securely locked in place. Another challenge is the need for upfront planning to account for the different requirements of basketball and hockey, such as the protective glass wall and penalty boxes needed for hockey.
