A big freeze is heading for Tampa, with Ice Rink Events getting ready to open Downtown on Ice, which is being constructed inside a huge tent.
In order to build the ice rink, the company is using a chiller to cool the water being used to create the rink. The chiller brings the water temperature down to approximately 10ºC. Company workmen then spray the cold water onto the rink, building up the surface in layers. The process will use approximately 10,000 gallons of water. In order to keep the water flowing freely, about 657 gallons of Glycol will be used.
The rink's grand opening is slated for November 21, this Friday, at 4:00 pm. Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn will preside. The rink will be open from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm Monday through Thursday; 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Fridays; 10:00 am to 10:00 pm on Saturdays; and noon to 9:00 pm on Sundays.
The rink will be closed on Thanksgiving, but will be open Christmas Eve from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Christmas Day itself from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. It will shut down for good January 4, 2015. During school breaks, the rink will have extended hours. Admission is $10, which includes skate rental.
Rink operators could work with a banner printing company to create items to decorate the inside of the tent.
