Flooring Question

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

One of IHC's readers is having difficulty getting a user name on IHC, so I'm posting his questions for him. If anyone can help out with some suggestions, we'd both appreciate it.

Thanks! /wtimages/icons/cool.gif

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I live in a town that is considering putting up an outdoor inline hockey rink. The town leaders are asking for advice on whether they should use a Sport Court floor outside or is a polished concrete better for this purpose.

Some of the local hockey people are concerned that the concrete they have played on is so slick that the slightest turn means the wheels slide out from under you. Others are concerned about our location, in the southwest, where blowing dust can collect on a Sport Court floor. Does anyone have any advice on this?

If we go with concrete and no SportCourt, how polished should it be to maximize puck movement but still allow for tight turns. If Sport Court, what kind of maintenance is required to keep it clean? Because we're in the Southwest, rain isn't much of a problem. Thank you in advance for your help.

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Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[MDE3]

If the concrete is already well polished, then there are some good latex products that may allow decent puck movement as well as grip... also look to use a heavier puck..the momentum will help it slide. Blowing dust will be a problem for any synthetic floor whether a Sport floor or just painted concrete...a mini Zamboni vacuum might be a good investment for any of the alternatives.

[RichardGraham]

Bump.

If some more people will answer this thread with suggestions, I'd appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[bobbradley]

I remember playing on Flight Deck at The Gretzky Centre in Irvine California. It is all outdoor and seemed to me it would withstand all elements. I also remember thinking it looked like tile on a kitchen floor. Our guys really liked playing on it. I'm not sure if it is still in existance. You may want to surf the web.
Good luck.

[DannyG]

my overwhelming recommendation is polished concrete, with two-three coats of Roll-on(TM) coating...players will learn to wear wheels that are soft enough to give them the touch they want on the surface. Each player will find a degree of durometer-wheel that works for them.

Painting the surface with roll-on also allows you maintain the surface like-new forever...

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[RichardGraham]

Thanks, Mike.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Thanks, Bob.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Thanks, Danny.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[hockeybum11]

Constructing an outdoor rink poses unique problems. Surfaces like Sport Court or other manufactures have issues with the suns effects on the polypro plastic. A UV treated tile is a must if plastic is your choice. Roll on surfaces make the most sense. The maintenance issue makes roll on surface the most logical choice. Debris on the plastic from wheel dust to sand is difficult to remove. Take up a tile from an indoor rink and this will prove the point. Roll on requires a leaf blower to remove debris. Rain also is removed faster from roll on than plastic.

[RichardGraham]

Hey Hockeybum11,

Thanks very much. I have a feeling that Roll-On over concrete might be the best solution for this rink. Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[BIV16]

Hey guys,
We have a brand new Mateflex III outdoor flooring that was put in for roller Hock and Lacrosse at our local park. I cannot find a wheel that grips well on it. Tomorrow I am trying a new set of Rink Rat Hornets. I have tried Labeda Dynasty's, Hyper Unity's, & Hyper Trinity's all in the softest formulas. You cannot corner hard without sliding out. We played some pick up recently and we were all sliding causing us to play in slow motion. It is a concern for Injury. I am completely disapointed especially since I have been asked by the Parks and Rec Department to run a Instructional Program there and future league . Anyone else have experience with this outdoor tile? http://www.mateflex.com/inline.html
Thanks,
Brent

[boardman]

Richard, I have had a sample of Vesmatco's flooring for outdoor events, its Italian made wooden composite so not sure how it would hold up but try their web site.