In Scandinavian countries, during the winter season, the technique of transforming indoor football fields with artificial turf into ice rinks has been used for years. It is an ideal solution for facilities that are used less frequently in winter, for example due to high heating costs.
– Is ice skating popular in Poland?
– What requirements must a surface meet for a facility to be transformed into an ice rink?
After answering these questions, we invite you to read our article!
What winter sports do poles prefer?
Winter sports are becoming increasingly popular among Poles. Skiing has long been the most popular, both in Poland and abroad.
Ice skating ranks second, with every third Pole expressing a willingness to practice this sport.
Skating is great fun for amateurs, but also an opportunity to develop in professional disciplines such as figure skating or ice hockey. However, the question arises whether the number and condition of ice rinks in Poland meet users’ needs.
There are still not enough facilities in Poland, which creates a need for new infrastructure for both amateur and professional sports. Currently, one of the most modern ice rinks in the country is located in Bytom.
One idea to support the development of this sport is to convert underused football infrastructure into ice rinks during winter.
When planning an ice rink, choose the right field
The possibility of converting a field into an ice rink should be considered already at the stage of selecting woven turf. There are several factors that must be met for the rink to function properly.
Artificial woven turf is resistant to low temperatures. Among available synthetic surfaces, a non-infill (4G) system should be selected. This means that the turf used under the ice rink should not contain rubber granulate. The only acceptable infill is quartz sand, which stabilizes the surface.
Pile height also matters. Football fields typically use turf above 35 mm, which affects perceived softness. However, for ice rink conversion, shorter fibers—between 20 and 35 mm—are recommended.
If the field serves primarily as a football pitch in summer, the best solution is 4G non-infill woven turf produced by Dywilan. If the field is mainly multi-purpose, shorter pile surfaces such as woven multi-sport turf should be chosen.
Another important element is the backing of the turf. In woven turf, white PP/PE backing does not act as thermal insulation, unlike latex backing used in other systems. Choosing the wrong backing significantly increases cooling costs.
It is also worth noting that covered fields with an area of 800–1500 m² are best suited for ice rink conversion.
Where are field–ice rinks located in Poland?
There are several field–ice rink facilities operating in Poland. One of them belongs to the Tarnów Sports and Recreation Center, located at Wojska Polskiego Street in Tarnów.
During spring and summer, the facility functions as a football field, while in winter it is transformed into a covered ice rink available to residents.
The Tarnów project uses Dywilan turf with a pile height of 35 mm, without a prefabricated shockpad.
