Ice rink accessories planned around visitor flow and daily operation

An ice rink is not operational when the refrigeration starts. Visitors still need a safe route from the entrance to skate rental, a place to change, skate-safe flooring, clear ice access, beginner support, signage and equipment that allows staff to maintain and reorganise the rink during the day.

SPORTWAVE therefore treats accessories as part of the operating layout rather than a list of last-minute add-ons.

Start with the complete visitor journey

The simplest way to identify the accessory package is to follow one visitor through the facility:

arrival → ticket / queue → skate rental → changing → skate-safe walkway → ice entry → skating → rest → ice exit → skate return.

Each step creates practical equipment requirements. If those interfaces are not designed early, queues, damaged floors and blocked gates appear even when the rink itself is technically correct.

Rubber flooring protects both blades and the building

Skaters should not walk on concrete, stone, ceramic or timber floors with exposed skate blades. A continuous rubber route protects the blade edge, reduces slip risk and protects the existing building surface.

The route should normally connect:

• rental counter;
• changing benches;
• rink gates;
• toilets or support spaces that visitors may access in skates;
• spectator / rest points where appropriate.

AST’s Skate Proof system uses interlocking rubber elements with ramp and corner sections, allowing temporary routes to be fitted around seasonal or permanent layouts.

Source: AST current ice-rink accessories portfolio.

Beginner skating aids should match the visitor profile

Family and public rinks often attract people who are skating for the first time. A limited number of beginner aids can increase confidence and make the attraction accessible to younger children.

AST currently offers CE-certified Penguin, Panda, Polar Bear, Ice Buddy and Franky-style skating aids. Some are push-only formats while others also provide a seating option for children.

The required quantity should be based on the share of beginners, peak family sessions and how the aids will be controlled. Too many aids on a busy surface can create additional obstacles, so availability should be managed rather than unlimited.

Storage for skating aids is part of safety

Skating aids are relatively bulky. When they are not in use they should not block public gates, emergency access or the resurfacer route.

A dedicated storage point near the ice entrance allows staff to issue and return aids without carrying them through the visitor queue.

Dividers can create several activities on one rink

Temporary dividers allow part of the ice to be separated for beginners, lessons, Eisstock / curling-style activities or private groups while the rest of the rink continues operating.

AST offers lightweight rink-divider elements, including 5 m modular sections. This can be a practical way to increase programming flexibility without permanently changing the board layout.

Source: AST Ice Rink Features product range.

Public skating and sport require different accessory packages

Hockey goals must match the actual use

A public leisure rink that occasionally hosts training does not necessarily need the same goal and fixing arrangement as a competition arena.

SPORTWAVE checks:

• training or competition use;
• goal size;
• net strength;
• fixing method;
• storage outside hockey sessions;
• whether the goals must also be usable in a sports hall or multifunctional venue.

AST’s accessory range includes hockey goals, nets, flexible fixing pegs and replacement components.

Protective netting depends on what is happening around the rink

Puck containment is not only a sport requirement. The height and location of protective netting should reflect spectators, circulation paths, glazing, lighting and neighbouring activities.

For multifunctional and public sites, removable netting can be useful where hockey occurs only during selected sessions.

Curling-style activities can increase off-peak utilisation

A public rink does not need to become a dedicated curling venue to offer additional programmed activities. Eisstock or simplified curling sets can create corporate, group and event sessions during quieter periods.

The operational question is whether the activity can be separated safely from general skating and whether the ice preparation is appropriate for the chosen format.

Benches and changing space control queue behaviour

If there is nowhere practical to sit and change skates, visitors use circulation routes, rental queues or emergency paths instead.

Changing benches should be positioned so that visitors move forward through the process rather than back toward the rental counter. Wet outdoor clothing, bags and parents accompanying children should also be considered in the space allowance.

Signage reduces operator workload

Clear signs can prevent many repetitive staff interventions. Typical information includes:

• entry and exit;
• skate rental and return;
• session times;
• skating direction;
• rules for beginners and skating aids;
• prohibited behaviour;
• emergency and first-aid information;
• resurfacing closures;
• size / rental instructions.

For international tourist locations, multilingual signage should be considered from the start.

Maintenance tools should be available at the rink, not in another building

Minor ice defects need immediate attention. A practical operator kit can include:

• snow shovels;
• ice scrapers;
• squeegees / wipers;
• hoses and water fittings;
• temperature measurement tools;
• ice-thickness measurement tools;
• spare board fasteners;
• basic hand tools;
• marking and inspection equipment;
• personal protective equipment appropriate to the task.

AST’s product range includes manual ice scrapers, wipers and specialist ice-master tools for small-rink and edge maintenance.

Small missing items can stop a large rink

A rink can have a six-figure refrigeration system and still lose operating time because the correct hose coupling, spare fastener or sharpened replacement blade is not available.

SPORTWAVE therefore recommends creating an opening-day spare and consumable list together with the equipment package.

Separate public equipment from technical equipment

Visitor items such as skating aids, benches and rental racks should be stored where public staff can access them. Technical tools, chemicals, blades and service parts require controlled storage.

This separation improves both safety and inventory control.

Seasonal projects need portable accessories

A rental or recurring winter rink should be designed for dismantling. Accessories that are easy to carry, stack, label and store reduce labour at both the beginning and end of the season.

AST’s rental programme includes skate racks, skating aids, rubber flooring, activity sets, hockey goals, sharpening equipment, maintenance tools and even seasonal sales / service huts as part of a wider full-service concept.

Source: AST Rental Ice Rinks accessories documentation.

Sales huts and service points can be part of the rink infrastructure

For Christmas markets and public squares, skate rental, ticketing or food and beverage operations may require temporary huts rather than permanent building space.

Their position should be coordinated with queues, electrical supply, fire routes and the skating entrance so they support rather than obstruct the attraction.

Accessibility should be considered in the accessory layout

Visitor routes, ramps, gate thresholds and changing areas should allow practical access for the intended users. This is especially important for municipal and family facilities where the audience can include children, older visitors and users with limited mobility.

Local accessibility and public-building requirements should be confirmed with the relevant project designers.

Accessories can create additional revenue

Some accessories are not only operational costs. Skate rental, private activity zones, beginner aids, group programmes and branded sponsor areas can contribute to the commercial model of a seasonal rink.

The selection should therefore consider both visitor experience and how the facility intends to generate revenue.

Plan storage before buying the equipment

The more complete the rink package becomes, the more storage it requires. Off-season or overnight storage may be needed for:

• skates and racks;
• skating aids;
• goals and nets;
• dividers;
• rubber flooring;
• signage;
• maintenance tools;
• spare parts;
• removable board components.

A seasonal project with no storage plan can spend unnecessary time and money handling the same equipment repeatedly.

Accessory selection checklist

Information needed for an accessory package

• rink dimensions and intended use;
• expected peak visitors and simultaneous skaters;
• public-skating, hockey, figure-skating, curling or mixed programme;
• rental and changing-area layout;
• distance and route from changing area to ice;
• children / beginner visitor profile;
• existing equipment already available on site;
• storage space;
• maintenance staffing;
• seasonal rental or permanent purchase model.

From these inputs, SPORTWAVE can prepare a practical accessory package aligned with the visitor route, operating programme and daily maintenance requirements of the rink.