NHL Winter Classic Rink Update: Friday Afternoon

by Al Yellon on Dec 19, 2008 3:58 PM CST in Chicago Cubs News

With the roads fairly clear this afternoon, I stopped by Wrigley to see the progress they had made. The upright posts -- not sure what you'd call them -- where they slide the glass in, were up today. I'm not quite sure what the contraption is in photo #3, which is in the right field corner. The last photo is of the refrigeration unit and pipes, which are parked on Waveland behind the LF bleachers.

I also learned today that the rink is actually a bit closer to the infield than the original plan -- center ice will be almost exactly on second base, and the near boards will be just short of the pitcher's mound.

Click on photos to open a larger version in a new browser window. Taken at Wrigley Field, Chicago, Friday, December 19, 2008, approximately 2 pm CST. All photos by Al

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Looks like they're gonna have extra

high glass around the rink-ends; not sure if those will self support the glass or if they have to be reinforced on the outer side of the rink. Doubt they’ll have to put that silly netting around the rink ends like the indoor rinks are configured.

Based on the original renderings, I had thought centre ice would be just on the home plate side of second and the near boards going up to just about the mound (rink is 85’ wide).

Those look like some nice sized water lines coming in. Think I calculated about 21,000 gallons of water needed to get a nice surface. Not sure though how much thicker – if at all – this rink would be than the standard indoor configuration.

Wonder if that RF contraption (is there one in LF too?) is for a semi-protected area for people to walk through while providing a back drop for advertising.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 19, 2008 4:13 PM CST reply actions

The ice will be

2 inches thick I think, and a normal NHL rink is 3/4 inch thick. I remember reading this a while ago, so it might not be 100% accurate, but I know the ice will be almost double the normal thickness.
The frame in the 3rd photo looks like the roof of a tent or something like that, maybe for one of the broadcasts

by stadiumguru on Dec 19, 2008 4:22 PM CST up reply actions

There is only one "contraption" as far as I can tell.

But you’re right, it may be for advertising.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 19, 2008 5:33 PM CST up reply actions

AL

Thanks for the pictures and providing me a very needed distraction something to take my mind off things this afternoon.

MaIne South Hawks 2008 Class 8a Champs!

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 19, 2008 4:14 PM CST reply actions

Refrigeration???

The cold temps won’t keep the rink frozen on its own?

"I never drink water because of the disgusting things fish do in it" -W.C. Fields

by calicubfan on Dec 19, 2008 4:19 PM CST reply actions

Consistent temps.

It does occasionally warm up in Chicago during the winter – I remember one late December – back when I still lived there – with temps in the low 50’s late into the month.

Soft ice is bad ice.

by MN exile on Dec 19, 2008 4:39 PM CST up reply actions

My brother

the day my brother was born 12/30/79 it was something like 65.

MaIne South Hawks 2008 Class 8a Champs!

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 19, 2008 4:55 PM CST up reply actions

And 3 days later

And 3 days later when they brought him home it was below zero.

Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 19, 2008 6:46 PM CST up reply actions

Could be 50 that day

This year, though not on the 1st, Jan 6th and 7th had temps in the 60’s here in Chi-town. It was so warm on that Monday night, I had my car out of storage just so I could drive in 60-degree weather on a January evening.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Dec 21, 2008 9:35 PM CST up reply actions

AND 2 DAYS LATER

It could be back up to 65 again…….

by cubs north on Dec 19, 2008 8:21 PM CST reply actions

Today's update

on NHL.com said they would be “recreating” the ivy on the OF wall. That may be the purpose of much of the scaffolding visible in several of those shots.

Bleed Cubbie Blue: Like Drāno for your internet tubes.

by znohitter on Dec 19, 2008 9:06 PM CST reply actions

That's probably exactly what the scaffolding is for.

Thanks for the update.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 20, 2008 4:27 AM CST up reply actions

Al, wondering what your thoughts are on the Cubs' FA singing

I know the hockey is going on at wrigley *a cool thing.

I wondered if you could rate the chances of landing the following guys:

Bradley
Abreau
longshot – Ramirez
Dunn

Thanks Al

"Hey Hey, Holy Mackerel, No Doubt About It!"

by scottsdalecubs on Dec 19, 2008 10:40 PM CST reply actions

Manny won't be coming here.

Bradley, we’ve talked to death. Personally, I don’t want him — too much injury risk, too much $ for a guy who’s likely to miss 40 games a year.

Abreu, I kind of like. Adam Dunn would be horrible defensively, but we know how he can hit. He could be moved to 1B when D-Lee’s contract is up.

What are the chances? I think Jason Marquis’ contract has to be moved first to clear some payroll room.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 20, 2008 4:27 AM CST up reply actions

Al, the metal posts are called stanchions

and there is a bit on controversy about them. Seamless glass has been a trend (no stanchions, just clear clips on top of the glass – think of sitting behind home plate, and looking through the netting – this seamless glass gets rid of the obstruction), but players claim it is a harder barrior to be hit into. Vancouver recently put in clear acrylic stanchions (rather than aluminium) as a compromise…

Moose

Hubbs!

by moose97 on Dec 20, 2008 9:32 AM CST reply actions

Interesting.

Thanks for the info!

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 20, 2008 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

Also, a reason

that the seamless glass is “harder,” is that with stanchions, you use plexi-glass, but with the seamless, you have to use tempered glass. The plexi has more “give” to it, while the tempered has less. There also have been more instances of broken glass with the seamless (tempered) than with the stanchions (plexi). Because of the “give,” there isn’t enough strength in the glass to support them with no stanchions and just the clips.

I’m sure you know what standard rink with standard aluminium stanchions looks like. Here’s what the clips look like, if you’ve never seen them:

[IMG]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/117/310976270_192a5b1bb8.jpg?v=0[/IMG]
[IMG]http://www.iceassociates.co.uk/supplies/sportsystems/images/seamless1.jpg[/IMG]

And here’s the “clear” stanchions in Vancouver:

[IMG]http://www.plasticsmag.com/article_images/cyro3ma04_ma04.JPG[/IMG]

Moose

Hubbs!

by moose97 on Dec 20, 2008 1:51 PM CST up reply actions