What Does It Take To Freeze Coors Field?

Spring Training is just around the corner, but something new is happening at 20th and Blake; hockey at Coors Field. This weekend, the Rockies ballpark will transform into a NHL stadium for the first time, hosting The Winter Classic between the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings.  The first professional outdoor hockey game in Denver has taken weeks of preparation beginning with the transformation of the baseball diamond at Coors Field into a hockey rink.

The first Winter Classic outdoor hockey game between the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins took place in 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, NY.  Since then, it has become one of the most popular events in the NHL, hosting annual outdoor events at many different locations throughout the United States and Canada.  Coors Field will not be the first baseball stadium to host the Winter Classic, it has been held at four major league parks before, most notably Fenway Park and Wrigley Field.  The largest attendance in NHL history occurred when the Red Wings hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs at “The Big House” – or Michigan Stadium – in Ann Arbor which held 105,491 hockey fans.

Another half-inch of ice will be formed on top of the logos before the surface is ready for the Winter Classic.

Coors Field doesn’t hold that many people, but it will still be a fantastic venue to watch an outdoor hockey game between two great NHL rivals.  But in order for there to be any type of hockey at the home of the Colorado Rockies, the baseball diamond must transform into a hockey rink.  This lengthy process starts about three weeks ahead of the game, when the semi-trucks carrying the portable ice rink arrive.  The first step is to create a level surface that the ice rink can be set up on, this is accomplished by creating a sub structure over the baseball mound that typically runs diagonal from first base to third.  Once the sub structure is complete large aluminum pans with coolant pipes are laid down across the entire surface creating the base of the hockey rink.

To keep a sheet of ice frozen outdoors can be a challenge even during the winter time which is why the NHL brings its own coolant plant with them to the game.  The portable coolant pant is no different from one located at any other NHL stadium in North America, only difference being this one is custom build to fit in the back of a standard semi-trailer.  Cimco builds the refrigerant truck that travels to each venue, most of the large operating equipment is mounted on a 30-degree angle inside the trailer.  This and extra doors located on the front and sides of the trailer allow for maintenance access to the refrigeration equipment.  The custom-built trailer is then hooked up to the aluminum pans on top of the base structure.  Once all the connections are made and tested, the boards can be put up and ice making can finally begin.

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Now that the ice rink has takin shape, workers with long wands that have multiple shower heads attached walk up and down the surface spraying water until they have a base surface of about 1 inch.  When the base layer of ice reaches it optimal thickness, the ice will be painted white with the logos and rink markings being applied a few days later.  Another half-inch of ice will be formed on top of the logos before the surface is ready for the Winter Classic.

Naturally there are going to be some natural elements that will interfere with maintaining an outdoor hockey rink.  Direct sunlight is the ice’s worst enemy, during the day large insulated blankets are laid on the surface to protect it, especially around the boards where the sun reflecting off can intensify the effect.  Luckily the Avalanche will play at night, so sunlight won’t be an issue when they host the Red Wings for the first NHL game ever played at Coors Field.  So grab you hats, gloves, and jerseys because we’re heading down to 20^th and Blake this weekend to catch the Avalanche take the ice against their hated rival, the Red Wings.

Next: MLB Places Jose Reyes on Paid Leave Until Trial Ends

As we all know, current Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes was arrested for a domestic violence incident in Hawaii this past Halloween. We’ve been awaiting a suspension decision from commissioner Rob Manfred, who holds sole discretionary power for discipline in domestic violence cases. A decision has been issued by the commissioner’s office; they’re waiting until the legal process is complete. In the meantime, Reyes will be placed on paid administrative leave until the conclusion of the legal proceedings.