Kristian Ferrell
TD Garden in Boston is home to both the Boston Celtics of the NBA and the Boston Bruins of the NHL. The venue regularly transforms from a basketball court to an ice hockey rink, and vice versa, sometimes within a few hours. The crew responsible for this feat is known as the Bull Gang, and they can complete the changeover in around two to three hours. This process involves covering the ice with preserving mats, assembling the basketball hardwood on top, and adjusting the hoops, which flex up and down.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken | 2-3 hours |
| Crew size | 40-60 people |
| Process | Cover the ice with preserving mats, assemble the basketball hardwood over the top |
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What You'll Learn
The Bull Gang crew
The work of the Bull Gang crew is not limited to game days. At the beginning of the hockey season, they are responsible for making the ice, painting it white, and adding the lines. Throughout the season, they maintain the ice to ensure it remains in optimal condition for the players. When it's time for a basketball game, they protect the ice with a cover before installing the basketball court, ensuring that the transition is seamless and efficient.
The crew's efficiency and dedication are notable, as they often work under tight schedules and pressure to ensure the arena is ready for the next game. Their work is essential to the operations of TD Gardens, and their expertise in converting the arena allows for a smooth transition between sports, accommodating the needs of both basketball and hockey teams.
One notable mention is Boston Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk's father, John, who has been a dedicated member of the Bull Gang crew for years, showcasing the crew's impact on the sports community and the intergenerational impact of their work.
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Covering the ice
When it's time to convert the ice rink to a basketball court, the Bull Gang springs into action. They start by covering the ice with protective mats, ensuring that the ice surface is shielded from damage. These mats are specially designed to preserve the ice and provide a stable base for the basketball court that will be installed above.
The next step is to bring out the basketball hardwood and assemble it over the covered ice. This process involves carefully laying down each piece of the court like a puzzle until the full 94 feet by 50 feet NBA-regulation floor is in place. The crew works efficiently to ensure that every piece fits snugly together, creating a seamless playing surface for the basketball players.
In addition to the court assembly, the crew also adjusts the hoops, wheeling them into position at each end of the court. With the court and hoops in place, the transformation from ice rink to basketball arena is almost complete.
The entire process of covering the ice and setting up the basketball court is a well-coordinated effort that typically takes the Bull Gang around three hours to accomplish with a crew of 40 people. However, when time is of the essence, they can call on additional crew members, increasing the team to 60, and complete the conversion in less than two hours. This impressive feat of logistics and teamwork showcases the dedication and expertise of the TD Garden crew, ensuring that the venue can seamlessly host both hockey and basketball games with minimal downtime in between.
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Laying the basketball court
Laying a basketball court is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Choose a Suitable Location
Select a reasonably flat area to minimise excavation needs. Ensure there is enough space for the desired court size, with a standard full-size court measuring 28m x 15m (420sqm). Consider a half-court or custom size if space is limited.
Prepare the Base
The base of your basketball court is crucial. You can choose from various options, including concrete, asphalt, pavers, or decking. Concrete is recommended for its longevity, performance, and low maintenance. It should be 100mm thick, reinforced, and properly cured before proceeding. If you opt for asphalt, hiring a contractor is recommended.
Excavate and Level the Area
Stake off a level area for your court, ensuring it is flat and well-compacted. Dig holes for the hoops, approximately 3 ft deep and 16 in wide, following the manufacturer's instructions for specific requirements. Ensure the holes are filled with gravel to create a sturdy and drainable base. Use a hand tamper to compress the gravel and create a flat surface.
Install the Hoop System
Follow the instructions provided with your chosen hoop system. Dig a separate hole for the footing, ensuring it is close to but not directly connected to the court to prevent vibration. Insert a concrete form and pour concrete into the hole. Centre and level the anchor system that comes with the hoop.
Lay the Surface
Once the concrete base is cured, you can lay the surface tiles or add your playing surface. If using tiles, align the side pieces flush with the edges of the concrete and mark the screw spots. Drill holes, insert plugs, and screw the edge pieces into the concrete to secure the court edges. Alternatively, apply an acrylic surface layer or paint the boundary lines directly onto the concrete.
Mark the Court Lines
You can purchase a basketball court line-marking stencil kit or create your own markings. Study the regulation court dimensions and use tools such as masking tape, paint, rollers, chalk, string, and a tape measure to mark the lines. Ensure precise measurements and planning for an accurate and aesthetically pleasing result.
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Timing
The TD Garden in Boston is home to both the Boston Celtics of the NBA and the Boston Bruins of the NHL. The venue regularly switches between a hockey rink and a basketball court, depending on which team is playing.
The process of converting the TD Garden from a basketball court to a hockey rink, or vice versa, is a complex and time-consuming task. It typically takes a crew of 40 people around three hours to complete the changeover. However, with a larger crew of 60 people, the time can be reduced to less than two hours.
The first step in the process is to cover the ice with preserving mats to protect it. Next, the basketball court, which is broken into even pieces, is assembled over the ice. The court measures 94 feet by 50 feet, plus boundaries, which is larger than the ice rink. The extra space is used for additional seating, ramps, and scoring tables. The hoops are then wheeled into place and adjusted to the correct height.
Converting the arena from a basketball court to a hockey rink involves a similar process. The basketball court is disassembled and removed, and the ice is uncovered and prepared for use. This includes painting the ice white, adding lines, and making any necessary repairs.
The "Bull Gang" is the dedicated crew responsible for these conversions. They work efficiently to ensure that both the Bruins and the Celtics can play their home games at the TD Garden, even if the games are only hours apart.
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Seating capacity
TD Garden in Boston is home to both the Boston Celtics of the NBA and the Boston Bruins of the NHL. The TD Garden crew, also known as the "Bull Gang", is responsible for converting the arena between a basketball court and an ice rink. The process involves covering the ice with preserving mats and assembling the basketball hardwood on top. The basketball court is broken into even pieces and puzzled into its standard 94 feet by 50 feet (plus boundaries) NBA floor.
The TD Garden has a seating capacity of 17,850 for Bruins hockey games and 19,156 for Celtics basketball games. The difference in seating capacity is due to the difference in the size of the playing surfaces, with the NBA basketball court requiring a larger area than the NHL ice rink. The extra space on the floor for Celtics games is used to accommodate additional seats, ramps, and scoring tables.
The conversion process usually takes around three hours with a crew of 40 people. However, with a larger crew of 60 people, the time can be reduced to less than two hours. This quick turnaround time allows for both the Bruins and Celtics to play home games on the same day with only a few hours between the start times.
The Bull Gang is also responsible for creating and maintaining the ice rink at the beginning of the hockey season. They make the ice, paint it white, add the lines, and maintain it throughout the season. When the ice needs to be converted to a basketball court, they place a cover over the ice to protect it before laying down the parquet floor in the middle of the arena.
The TD Garden crew's efficiency ensures that both the Bruins and Celtics can share the arena during their respective seasons, providing a seamless experience for fans and players alike.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes a crew of 40 people roughly 3 hours to convert TD Gardens from a basketball court to a hockey rink. A crew of 60 people can get the time down to less than 2 hours.
First, the ice is covered by preserving mats. Then, the basketball hardwood is brought out and assembled over the top. The court is broken into even pieces and puzzled into its standard 94 feet by 50 feet (plus boundaries) NBA floor.
The Bull Gang is the team responsible for converting TD Gardens from a basketball court to a hockey rink, and vice versa.
