Ice Rink Cuts Construction Costs with PlastiSpan® EPS Insulation

Location: Ile de Chenes, Manitoba, Canada

Brian Suderman has worked in the industrial and commercial concrete business for over 20 years, but it was not until 2010 that he had the opportunity to work on an ice hockey arena. Suderman’s Concrete was chosen to prepare and finish over 20,000 sq. ft. of concrete floor for a major renovation of the Ile de Chenes community ice hockey arena.

To maintain an even ice surface, a series of precautions were taken to inhibit ground movement underneath the concrete slab, including the installation of geothermal heat lines to prevent the ground from freezing.

“If the ground freezes it could cause potential movement to the slab, causing an uneven ice surface,” said Suderman.

A foot of sand is placed over the hydronic heating tubing, followed by three inches of PlastiSpan 40 expanded polystyrene insulation that functions as a thermal break between the sand and the cooling system for the ice rink. PlastiSpan 40 is a rigid, closed-cell foam insulation with a compressive resistance of 40 psi for use under structural slabs. PlastiSpan 40 provides exceptional stability and long lasting thermal protection that does not degrade over time.

Suderman opted for the PlastiSpan product based on its performance and value relative to other below-grade insulation materials.

“Plasti-Fab has supplied PlastiSpan insulation products to hundreds of ice rinks across Canada, some dating back over 40 years,” said Corey Bourne, a Plasti-Fab representative who provided support on the project. “PlastiSpan is a cost-effective product with proven performance for this type of below-grade application.”