SuperSub Sportssystems and VolkerWessels companies KWS and Van Kessel Sport en Cultuurtechniek are jointly launching a new multifunctional ice rink construction that makes it possible to skate on natural ice more quickly when there is little frost. Last year, the Winterswijk skating and roller rink was the first to be equipped with this innovative solution. The result: on 30 November 2020, the skating rink was the only one in the Netherlands to be used for skating on natural ice. After this first project, the three parties involved are now officially launching the concept on the market.
Unique combination of cellular concrete and asphalt
Global warming and the relatively infrequent periods of frost are reducing the likelihood of natural ice in the Netherlands. The launch of the new ice rink construction by SuperSub Sportssystems, KWS and Van Kessel Sport en Cultuurtechniek means that from now on the skates can be taken out of the grease sooner. Through the use of cellular concrete in combination with the asphalt mixture KonwéSkate as a top layer, an ice cover can already be created on the rink at low frost. This is because cellular concrete has a strong insulating effect, so that the effect of the still-warm earth's surface disappears in the sports construction. Only a small amount of water needs to be sprayed onto the asphalt in order to form an ice cover.
"Being able to skate after just one night of frost, for example, as early as November. It's fantastic, really a big step forward! We are extremely pleased with this development", said Hendrik van Prooije, ice master of the Winterswijk Ice Skating Association (WIJV).
Multifunctional rink
The new paving construction is multifunctional. When it is not freezing, the special asphalt top layer provides a track for inline skaters with low rolling resistance and optimal driving characteristics, including increased speed. The track also offers the possibility of running or roller-skating. With this diversity, the track meets multifunctional use of space all year round.