FanPost

Winter Classic [Construction] Details

The Suntimes has a nice article today about how famed Wrigley Field is going to be outfitted with the "standard"  200' x 85' NHL rink for New Years Day.

There's some perspective by one of the chief players in getting the rink built out and with the best possible quality come Jan 1st, per Dan Craig, known as the NHL's "Ice Man".  There's a total of 10 ice experts, 2 from Chi-Town that are part of the main team getting this done.

Work will begin in 10 days with several trucks coming to Chi-Town from Toronto.  Material will include a complete refrigeration system.  They speak of an ice surface 2" thick (about double of a typical indoor hockey rink) and needing 12,000 gallons of water.  Those numbers don't seem to jive too much as  it should take about 21,000 gallons for a 2" thick ice surface, but one of those numbers may be a typo.  The floor base is made of Aluminium panels.

They're ready for anything that can happen.  Dan was interviewed between periods of the 'Hawks game the other night and is very excited to be playing a marquee NHL game between 2 of the original 6 teams (Bruins, Rangers, Canadiens & Maple Leafts are the other 4) in one of baseballs' shrines.  I know I can't wait to head over to Wrigley that day; I don't care how cold it is outside.

The rinks' long side closer to the main grandstands will be only 8-10' behind the mound.  The rink [length-wise] will face approximately NW to SE.  So centre ice will be just a few feet on the pitchers' mound side of the 2nd base bag.  The rink ends will extend about 25' past the foul lines along the line drawn from the corner bases. There will be no "glass seats" for spectators BTW.

I can't remember where I saw this but it was another article; several of the Cubs players plan to be at Wrigley for the game especially native Canadian's Ryan Dempster and Rich Harden.

I for one believe they have every angle covered and can't wait to head over to Wrigley on Jan 1st! 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/1315619,CST-NWS-rink05.article

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