Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I choose an ICE-Y-BLUE 700™ Synthetic Ice Rink?

We are not the cheapest product on the market, but we do believe that we are the best. Our commercial heavy duty ‘ice” panels are 18mm thick, endorsed by the National Ice Skating Association, professional skaters (both figure and hockey) and ice coaches and are suitable for all types of installation (indoors or outdoors).

NOICEONE LTD’s owner, John Thorpe, has nearly 30 years experience in this industry and has personally developed the synthetic ice rink product to where it is today – universally accepted as the best alternative to frozen water available anywhere in the world.

Do you offer a warranty package?

10 year warranty on rinks installed indoors. 6 years warranty on rinks installed outdoors.

All support items such as skates, rink cleaning machine, skate grinder, etc come with full manufacturers’ warranty, with our chosen suppliers being industry leaders within their particular field.

What is the operational temperature range?

Ice-Y-Blue 700™ is not adversely affected by extremes of weather (heat or cold), therefore making it perfect for indoor or outdoor use world-wide. Operational temperature range of our equipment is in excess of -50ºC to 50ºC. It will not crack, warp, splinter or corrode. It is strong and durable, plus chemical and water resistant.

Can I use normal ice skates on a synthetic rink?

Yes. panels allow you to use either figure, speed or ice hockey skates although it is important to ensure that your skate blades are kept sharp in order to enjoy the optimum skating experience. It is not necessary to apply any treatment to the surface of our panels for “full on” training sessions. However, speed on our ‘ice’ panels can be enhanced by the use of Glycol (diluted one part glycol to four parts water) and sprayed onto the surface using a fine spray applicator at regular intervals.

How does ICE-Y-BLUE 700™ compare to real/wet ice?

For beginners and recreational skaters, it is an excellent surface and great fun. Not quite the same as ice but very good for learning the basics. Because of the additional friction, there is not so much initial glide and therefore your feet do not tend to disappear from under you so rapidly.

For mid level skaters who have experienced the glide factor of ice, plastic demands more work but nonetheless is a fun activity.

For upper level skaters, again you have to work harder to generate speed and you have to adapt your technique. It is still possible for top skaters to perform all the major jumps and even back flips. Spinning is also OK. Ice Hockey players can really improve their stamina whilst still being able to skate very fast and perform hockey stops.

What are the glide capabilities with ICE-Y-BLUE 700™?

With proper maintenance and care, it maintains a consistent glide factor of at least 90% for the life of the product. By comparison and dependant on resurfacing capabilities, wet ice starts with a glide capability of 100%, reducing to 80% after a few hours. Under normal circumstances, a wet ice rink then has to close for re-surfacing. However a synthetic rink can remain open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!

What are the operational/maintenance running costs?

Apart from ensuring that the rink surface is kept clean, the only other task is to spray the surface with a fine coating of glycol (diluted 1:4 with water) at regular intervals. This can be achieved by rink staff on skates or in their normal footwear using back pack spray applicators, therefore there is no requirement to clear the rink of skaters during the task. The glycol is non toxic, environmentally friendly, safe and inexpensive.
Brushing or vacuuming the surface on a daily basis is good practice.

Is ICE-Y-BLUE 700™ suitable for figure skating and ice hockey?

Most certainly. We supply our ‘ice’ panels to event management companies for the staging of spectacular ice shows and allowing experienced skaters to execute all of the movements, jumps and spins that they would perform on real ice. As for ice hockey, it is ideally suited for practicing technique including stops, slap shots and goal tending and can be installed within a domestic setting (basement, garage, garden or driveway), or a commercial environment such as (sports and leisure centres). Regular use of our ‘ice’ panels will improve stamina, technique and avoid muscle strain due to the lack of extreme temperatures.

What is required to install ICE-Y-BLUE 700™?

Any firm, flat, level area is suitable. Previous installations have been carried out on car parks, tennis courts, sports halls, town squares, shopping malls, school playgrounds and similar. If installation is on grass, a suitable sub floor (such as plywood sheets) is required to prevent seepage of rain water onto the rink or subsidence of the “ice” panels.

How durable is ICE-Y-BLUE 700™?

ICE-Y-BLUE 700™ panels are manufactured from very high molecular weight polyethylene (VHMWPe) throughout and therefore able to be skated upon on both sides. Our 18mm thick commercial h/duty panels have a life expectancy of at least 15 years. The more you skate on the panels, the better the experience.

What are your shipping/transport arrangements?

The product range is manufactured, prepared for delivery and dispatched from our factory premises in Germany using reputable shipping agents. Dependant upon location of client and size of order, we palletise equipment for dispatch by sea or airfreight or overland by container lorries. For overseas clients, we are able to provide Harmonised Customs Tariff codes where appropriate.

How long do the rinks take to install?

This will of course depend on available access to the proposed location for the rink. The following timetable for typical sizes of rinks is a good indicator.

9m x 8m ‘ice’ rink with full support package. Installation time, approx 2 – 3 hours.

12m x 12m ‘ice’ rink with full support package. Installation time, approx 4 – 5 hours.

15m x 20m ‘ice’ rink with full support package. Installation time, 1 day.

How many people can skate on the rink at any one time?

We work on the basis of 3m² of ‘ice’ floor per skater. Therefore a 15m x 20m (300m²) rink will accommodate up to 100 skaters. The actual number of skaters can be influenced according to the age of skaters and their skating abilities.

How long should we give for each skating session?

NOICEONE LTD’s owner through - , N-ICE® and its previous brand names of Vitrathene™ Synthetice® / Hi-Den Ice®, with direct customer contact and through various distributors over the last three decades - has carried out in excess of 1,000 ‘ice’ rink installations, so has a good track record in knowing what works and is acceptable to the general public. We would suggest between 30 to 45 minute skating sessions (no longer). After this length of time, most skaters are tired and start to come off the rink of their own volition.

How much can we charge?

Skating charges should include the supply of ice skates. On average and across the UK , the following charges have been found to be acceptable, although clients may feel that their own locality requires a lesser charge or could in fact sustain greater skating charges.

Low Season (January to October) Children £2.50 Adults £4.00 for 30 minutes.

High Season (November to December) Children £5 Adults £8 for 30 minutes.

The sale of higher quality skates should be made through a “pro” shop (additional income stream). This then encourages loyalty and return visits.

Skate charges can then be structured to allow admission for people with their own skates and a separate charge for those wishing to hire the rental skates.

Can your ‘ice’ rinks be installed on grass?

Grass is not the best surface for installation. We would prefer to install on a firm, flat, solid, level area that can ultimately support both the weight of equipment and the maximum number of skaters. We have however carried out numerous installations on grass, but in most cases, have asked the client to supply and lay a sub floor (often timber/plywood) prior to the rink being installed.

However, there have also been many instances of direct installation onto grass – usually when the installation is for only a short period.

What size of rinks do you supply?

Virtually any size. All rinks have at least one 2m wide gap for entrance/exit.

Do you provide public liability insurance?

The provision of public liability insurance cover falls to the operator to provide.

We can offer advice on insurance providers.

What if it rains?

Inclement weather has no effect on our ‘ice’ rink surface. Clients may however wish to consider the provision of a canopy to cover the rink. This would require to be sourced by the client from a registered marquee company. In most cases, our previous clients have preferred to opt for open air installations, believing that they retain more atmosphere than an enclosed ‘ice’ rink.

Do you supply ice skates?

Yes. We provide a complete turnkey package that includes ice skates, skate racks, bench seating, rubber matting, rink cleaning and skate sharpening equipment. The skates supplied by our company are either the ski boot style with quick fastening clasps or the laces type – client choice. Children’s ice skates may be adjustable, therefore offering greater flexibility with stocking levels.

Can skaters use their own skates?

Yes, the skates we supply are standard ice skates as used on real/wet ice rinks.

Can you get hurt on synthetic ice?

In twenty seven years of providing synthetic ice rink equipment, the owner of our company has never had a claim made against public liability insurance. The National Ice Skating Association also states that they believe our synthetic ice to be the safest skating environment for novice skaters. Accidents however can happen, but with good stewardship of the rink and ensuring that preventative measures are in place, they can in most cases be avoided.

Do we need our operating crews to be first aid certificated?

Yes, at least one rink steward must be first aid certificated.

Can sponsors place their advertising material on the rink barriers?

Yes, but due to the sleek design of our ULTIMATE barrier system, it does not allow for banners with eyelets and rope to be secured. The best way of advertisers/sponsors maximising the rink barriers for publicity, is by the use of vinyl graphics similar to how commercial vehicles are sign written. More information is available on request.

Can we use the rink for fundraising?

We do not promote our product as a fund raising tool, rather a unique attraction that allows individuals to experience the thrill of “ice” skating in a safe environment. The only realistic way to acquire an “ice” rink for fundraising, is to approach local businesses to provide sponsorship toward the cost, the return on their investment being the opportunity to locate their promotional material on the rink barriers.

How many hours can the rink be open?

In theory, up to 24 hours per day

Create opening times schedules.

Create ticket pricing schedules.

Take Bookings over the phone.

Ensure that you obtain the following information:-

Full name

Contact telephone number

Which date required/day/time?

Skaters (children/adults/family ticket etc.)

Agreed value of the tickets

Tickets can be collected and paid for at the rink box office up to ten minutes before the allocated time for the skating.

Take Bookings over the internet.