A Unique Challenge: Building an Outdoor Hockey Rink in Florida

TAMPA, Fla. – Steve Mayer, the NHL’s head of events and content, took a walk through the southwest tunnel at Raymond James Stadium on Thursday morning and was struck by what he saw. The preparations for an outdoor hockey game in Florida were underway, and it was a long-awaited moment for the league.

“What we’re doing and how we had to engineer this is extremely unique,” Mayer said during a media briefing held on the 200 level of the south end zone. The event took place with a partially constructed tent serving as a backdrop, under which a rink was being assembled.

The NHL’s 45th outdoor game, set to take place between the Lightning and Bruins on February 1, will be unlike any of the previous 44. On Sunday afternoon, the media were invited to witness the initial stage of the ice-making process under the now-completed climate-controlled tent. Six air conditioning units lined the tent’s exterior on both the east and west sides, working hard to cool the interior to a temperature in the low-fifties, according to an NHL official.

By 5 p.m., the desired temperature level seemed well on its way to being achieved. “If we were building the ice without the tent and we were dealing with 80-degree days, 70-degree days, it’s not easy to maintain,” Mayer explained. “The fact that we’re building in a controlled environment and then exposing the rink for just a few hours of the game, I think we’re going to be okay.”

Engineering the Perfect Ice

Lines and logos will be installed on Thursday, and the tent will be disassembled over a period of up to 10 hours on game day. This ambitious schedule leads up to an early evening puck drop, with ESPN coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. Considering such a project typically takes days to fully disassemble, the timeline is tight. The goal is to have the ice exposed for as short a time as possible.

GNB Global, the manufacturer of the tent at Raymond James Stadium, is based in Winnipeg with facilities in Canada and the U.S. Several test runs were conducted at their facility in Rhome, Texas, about 50 miles northwest of Dallas.

“They’ve been rehearsing the dismantle of the tent for months now,” Mayer said. “So, with all that and all of those pieces having to come together, we’re ready. It’s going to be quite a day.”

Weather Considerations

Mother Nature may be turning into a hockey fan. Low temperatures for Tampa throughout the week are forecasted to be in the 30s. On game day, the high is expected to be 55. Of course, the forecast can change, but things are looking good so far.

“We’re used to just about everything and based on weather forecasts that we’re looking at right now, we should be okay,” Mayer said.

The Future of Outdoor Hockey

This event marks a significant milestone for the NHL, showcasing its ability to adapt and innovate. The combination of advanced engineering, careful planning, and favorable weather conditions has set the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable game.

As the team continues to work on the final details, fans can look forward to a unique experience that highlights the league’s commitment to bringing hockey to new audiences. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply curious about the sport, this game offers something for everyone.

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