[mtd1523]

Just for $h!t$, how much do you think it would cost to build and open an ice rink, for say, high school hockey or just open skating?

Also, how much do you think it would cost to build and open an indoor skate park?

--Those are my current business ideas.

[mediad]

We have a local non-profit that opened a family rec facility that has a ice rink in it, they keep it painted for hockey but it's also open to the public for the most part. If I remember correctly the equipment and rink (not including the building cause it was already there) ran about $200k. That included the zamboni, skates, and all the accessories too. Supprisingly it's not building an ice rink thats expensive, it's operating it.

link the the facility is www.jonesnet.org Once you are in the site go to facilities to see pictures if you want to.

[mxer210]

Yeah, all you need is a flat cement surface. The zambonia does the rest.

[mpnetwork]

A town where I referee recently build a 2nd ice pad. I believe it cost 1.5 - 2 million CAD. 1/2 was paid for through fundraising and the other 1/2 was matched by the township.

However they didnt buy another Zamboni, but they did have to build an expansion on the building.

I used to referee in Whitby, the sports complex is huge and I'm not sure if it is managed by a private company. Maybe this link will help you out.

http://www.iroquoispark.com/

Of course, if what you mean is an outdoor rink, as long as you have access to open land with the proper zoning, it should be relatively cheap. You'll need the insurance, boards, and an ice resurfacing machine.

I know a little arena out in the boonies that uses a tractor with an attachment off the back to resurface the ice. If you could find a used one of those it would save $$ over a zamboni.

[mtd1523]

It's going to be indoor so that it can be used all year.

The reason why I want to do this is because I grew up not knowing hockey that much. Then just recently I ice skated for the first time and it is a lot of fun, and I'd like to play hockey now...for my college team of course. So I would like to bring it to my hometown and eventually get hockey into my high school.

The economy of my town isn't that great as people are leaving, but I've had a burning desire to figure out a way to revive it and bring it back to life...we need something.

Skate parks have been popping up around the area, but they can't be used during the winter, or bad weather, so an indoor park would be a huge addition to bring in people from other areas to do what they do.

My only problem is, is the lack of capital...i don't have millions haha. But like Robert Kiyosaki says, "How can I..."

Thanks for the responses and more advice is appreciated!

[mpnetwork]

You might want to consider approaching the township regarding a fundraising campaign. Maybe if you can raise a certain level of funds the township or state will match you to build the arena.

[mxer210]

Yeah Ice rinks are great. general ice skating sessions appeals to everyone, hockey for to the sports guys, figure skating for the sporty ladies, and curling for the older bunch.

[mediad]

If you don't mind going the "non-profit" route, find yourself a grant writer and go to town. If you don't have the capitol to hire a grant writer, you can actually find grants to do reseach to get grants.

I've said this in other threads, but there is money to be made in non-profits. The Jones Center that I referenced above compensates it's directors very well for their time.

D.

[jimmiejo]

the cost to create an arena and construct a rink inside of it would be somewhere around 2-3 million. The cost to operate it would be somewhere around 25,000 to 75,000 a month to ensure an appropriate temperature is maintained and for resurfacing the ice.

[mxer210]

I think 2-3 million is way too much. I've played ice hockey 8 years, and I've been to rinks which are like tough sheds. They have a steel frame, adn aluminum paneling, like a warehouse. This would probably cost 50k max. Besides from that, you would need to lay cement, and construct the surrounding boards. All expenses would probably be 150k-250k. Im not in consctruction though, so I'm not sure on the specifics for the above numbers.

[mtd1523]

yeah the place that I go to to watch the games is like a big warehouse, steel structure with aluminum siding...it is definitely not state of the art design. That is basically what I'm looking at, but a tad better. I'm not thinking of a huge 50K person NHL arena, just a good size place.

Would you think the overhead is high risk? and do you think there is a profit to be made?

[TMadiara20]

Well you gotta think of other aspects of it... Is hockey a big sport in your town? If not then i doubt your town will approve and support your idea. Do your local highschools have hockey teams? If not then there's really no point. Most hockey rinks in towns are primarily for schools with hockey teams, and for tournament play.

Thanks a lot,