Building backyard ice rinks in Canada: an exploratory study

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article explores a mythologized space for outdoor physical activity: the backyard ice rink. We report results of a survey of rink makers in Canada and the United States that includes the types of rinks built, characteristic users of these rinks and motivations for constructing rinks. Content analysis of a backyard rink makers’ Facebook group further contextualizes the results. Findings show that in addition to providing space for hockey skills development, also very important are social motivations to create shared places for friends and family, the sheer pleasure of the outdoor skating experience and the desire to spend time outdoors in winter. Survey participants and Facebook postings show rink users often include people from multiple generations. The majority of survey participants were well-educated, middle class, in two-parent homes – a finding requiring further exploration to determine its representativeness of typical rink makers. The study suggests opportunities to further explore this outdoor activity’s many potential health and social benefits, as well as its wider cultural importance for Canadians.