Have you ever wanted to play hockey or just do some skating, but didn't feel like packing up all the gear to go to the local rink or that pond out in the woods where you have to be part mountain lion to get to?  Well I use to have that problem, but not any more.  I decided to put a rink in my backyard.  After a season of having my very own backyard rink I found a Yahoo Group dedicated to just such a thing.  I decided to build this site to keep track of my journey and see if I can inspire others and help them on their journey as well.

BackyardRink.net is dedicated to all those crazy fanatics out there that go through the time and effort to build a rink in their backyards every year.  We will highlight some of the trials and tribulations, tips and tricks and share some pictures of my rink and rinks that others have done.  This site is intended to be a resource for those just starting and a place to get new ideas for those already seasoned vetrans.

 As one of those crazy fanatics I can say it is a labor of love that we do this.  My wife thinks I am 100% off my rocker, especially when I go out to resurface the rink @ 11:30 pm, but the kids love it.   Winter 2006-2007 was my second year building a rink in my backyard and it has been an absolute joy.  So far!

This season started out in a very chaotic manner.

Typically the liner is purchased in October and the frame is up just after Thanksgiving.  Not so much this year though.  The frame just went up January 16, 2010 and the liner is on order.  After placing my order with my usual vendor I got an email the next day announcing that the liner was "out-of-stock" and the only size they had that would cover the rink was more than double the cost.  After a small panic attack I found a place that has the needed poly and have ordered it (more on this later).

Jack Falla is a legend in the Yahoo group "BackyardRink" for his 25 years of rink building as well as his advice and comments to the group during the season and off-season.  Jack has been a great inspiration to many in journalism and the backyard rink builing areas.  The passion he shows for his writing and his favorite sport is amazing at times.  He wrote into the Yahoo group the following story during the off-season that I think gives you a glimps of the man.