Construction starts today on the third EDF Energy Ice Rink at The Forum. The real-ice outdoor rink will take just under 4 weeks to build, ready for the first ice skating session on Saturday 12^th November at 10am.

 

More than a dozen different Norfolk companies, from scaffolding contractors, to landscapers, sound and light engineers, signage companies, water and electricity providers, security guards, the Theatre Royal, printers, refrigeration experts and BaseLine Promotions, the company who manage the ice rink on behalf of The Forum Trust, will work together over the next month to ensure the successful delivery of the ice rink.

                  

The ice rink is an impressive feat of technical engineering. Hundreds of checks will take place between week one when the first scaffolding pole will be laid to week four when the final frozen surface will be checked before the rink is opened to the general public. 

 

Approximately 3600m of thin tubes containing glycol antifreeze fluid will be laid on a flat, level surface, created by more than 2000 scaffolding poles held together with approximately 1000 fixings, upon which are laid 500 scaffolding boards. This structure weighs in excess of 60 tonnes. An impenetrable waterproof membrane will be laid on top of this construction to ensure a watertight seal for the ice rink and to protect the Amphitheatre underneath. The 2.2 miles of tubes are carefully laid out on top of this surface. Finally, 23,000 litres of water will be sprayed, layer-by-layer, on top of the thin pipes, which slowly freeze the water and create the ice skating arena.

 

It will take about 7 days to generate 18 centimetres of frozen water above the tubes to make a safe, level skating surface. Three refrigeration systems work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week whilst the ice rink is in place to ensure the ice stays at a constant frozen temperature. A daily maintenance programme, including replacing the top ice surface that has been skated away during the day, is followed to keep the ice in tip-top condition.

 

This year the popular outdoor ice rink will be bigger, better and brighter than ever before. The rink is being extended by 48m² to provide a total of 432m² of skating arena for whirling and twirling, slipping and sliding. In addition to Christmas trees and decorations, this year the ice rink will be crowned with a glittering ceiling of 30,000 sparkling lights, which will take an extra week to install, helping to create a magical winter wonderland atmosphere.

 

Mark Hand, Marketing Manager at The Forum Trust, the company charged with the management of The Forum building said; “Last year more than 35,000 skaters enjoyed the EDF Energy Ice Rink at The Forum, that’s 5,000 more than in the first year. The rink will be even larger this year and will once again provide a wonderful Christmas focus in the heart of the city. We look forward to seeing even more skaters and spectators this winter.”

 

Ice skating lessons for the general public are also planned for this year. The first sessions will take place on Wednesday 16^th and Thursday 17^th November at 4pm and 5pm. Persons interested in lessons should ask for more information at the EDF Energy Box Office in The Forum from 4^th November.