The ice installation at Dal’s Oulton-Stanish Centre last week provided a fascinating glimpse into the blend of precision, craftsmanship, and deliberately low-tech methods used to create a world-class rink.
What looks immaculate when finished — including the crisp Dal Tigers logo at centre ice — comes from decades-old techniques such as careful hand flooding, measuring, marking, and layering. Much of this work was done with tools as simple as yarn, tape, rollers, ropes and spray bottles.
Even major international venues rely on these same techniques, underscoring how much skill and human touch still go into creating a flawless sheet of ice.
Here are 10 fun facts about how it came together:
1. The NHL-sized rink holds roughly 73,000 litres of ice, about the volume of a large backyard pool.
2. The ice build followed a strict sequence: four water layers on concrete, multiple white painted layers, eight to 10 more water layers, then acrylic, then over an inch (2.54 cms) of additional hand-flooded ice.
3. Only about 1/8 inch (0.3175 cms) of ice existed before the acrylic layer was installed.
4. All rink lines and markings were laid out manually using measuring tape, yarn, markers, and a custom compass-style mop handle with a Sharpie.
5. Red and blue yarn was positioned first using plumb line techniques similar to those used to hang wallpaper.
6. Technicians with backpack sprayers used adjustable nozzles to freeze the yarn in place. Each backpack holds 15 litres of liquid.
7. Pre-cut faceoff dots and other markings were carefully positioned and sealed with sprayed or rolled water.
8. Newer Zambonis could apply early layers, but their studded tires would damage thin ice, so the entire base was built by hand.
9. Simple drywall tape was installed between the ice and boards to keep the water within the ice surface and prevent it from seeping under the boards.
10. The Dal Facilities Management team now caring for this ice were on hand for its installation (from left): Simon Pattison, Darren Baxindal, and Eric LeMoine, who are refrigeration and arena operators; Robert Cann, a power engineer and arena operations relief; and Roger Lloy, central plant manager.
Dalhousie’s Oulton-Stanish Centre officially opens in March 2026. We can’t wait to see the community on the ice and in the stands soon. Go Dal Tigers!
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