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When one of London’s popular seasonal ice rinks needed extra cooling capacity to build its ice, Andrews Chillers provided ice rink chiller hire using a 60kW and a 100kW chiller. The temporary chiller hire package was delivered at midnight and craned into position overnight, allowing installation to continue the following day and helping the rink open on schedule.
For visitors, a seasonal rink is all festive lights and gliding across the ice. Behind the scenes, a smooth rink surface depends on consistent cooling from the very first day of the build. With the opening date fixed and the site in one of the capital’s busiest commercial districts, every stage of this job needed careful planning.
How Do Temporary Ice Rinks Stay Frozen?
A temporary ice rink stays frozen because chillers cool a fluid that is pumped through pipework laid beneath the rink surface. Water is then built up on top in thin layers, and each layer freezes as the cold fluid draws heat away.
That is why temporary ice rink cooling has to be steady from the moment the build begins. Any interruption can undo hours of work and delay the opening, so the chillers behind the rink matter as much as the ice itself.
The Challenge: Building Ice Against a Fixed Opening Date
The requirement itself was clear: the temporary rink needed dependable cooling capacity to create and then maintain its ice, all within a tight installation window.
The location added another complication. In a busy commercial district, daytime deliveries and heavy lifting would have meant working around crowds, traffic and neighbouring businesses. The chillers had to be on site and in position without disrupting the area, and ready for installation straight away.
So for this project, logistics were every bit as important as refrigeration capacity.
The Solution: A Tailored Temporary Chiller Package
Our expert team selected a 60kW and a 100kW chiller, a cooling package sized to provide the capacity needed to create and maintain the rink surface, with consistent performance and reliable temperature control.
To keep disruption to a minimum, we planned the delivery for midnight, when the surrounding streets were at their quietest. Both chillers were craned into the designated plant area overnight.
When the installation team arrived the next morning, the units were in place and ready, so the other contractors on site could carry on with the next stage without interruption.
The Outcome: Installed, Commissioned and Open on Schedule
With both chillers lifted into place overnight, commissioning was completed the next day, exactly as planned. From there, the system delivered steady, stable cooling, and the rink was able to open on schedule.
Pulling together the logistics, the crane lift and the installation in such a short window took careful coordination, and it paid off. The job was delivered safely and smoothly, with minimal disruption to the site and the area around it.
When Is Ice Rink Chiller Hire the Right Choice?
Ice rink chiller hire suits any rink that needs cooling capacity for a set period rather than a permanent plant room. Typical situations include:
- Seasonal and pop-up rinks that run for a few winter months each year
- Events and venues using event chiller hire to add ice for a festival, launch or attraction
- Permanent rinks that need emergency chiller hire during a breakdown, or backup cooling during planned maintenance
- Tight or busy sites where equipment has to arrive out of hours with minimal disruption
As with any temporary chiller hire, the cooling package can be sized to the rink, with a mix of chiller capacities rather than one large unit.
For another example of cooling planned around a live event, read how temporary event cooling kept a televised golf event running smoothly.
Download Case Study
 | Download Case Study: Andrews Chillers Helps Build the Ice for a London Seasonal Ice Rink |
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Planning a seasonal or temporary ice rink?
| Whether you are building a seasonal rink or need backup cooling for an existing one, our team can help you plan the right ice rink chiller hire package for your site, with chiller hire across London and nationwide. Call 0800 211 611 or enquire online to discuss your project. |
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FAQs
What type of chiller is used for a temporary ice rink?
Ice rinks generally require fluid chillers capable of operating at low temperatures. The appropriate capacity and operating temperature depend on rink size, ambient conditions and system design. Andrews Chillers provides specialist low temperature and fluid chillers for temporary and permanent rink applications.
Is ice rink chiller hire only for seasonal rinks?
No. Ice rink chiller hire can also support events, permanent rinks during breakdowns or maintenance, and any site that needs temporary cooling capacity for ice.
How cold can a hire chiller go for an ice rink?
Our low temperature chillers can reduce fluid temperatures to as low as -15°C, making them suitable for ice rinks and other applications requiring very low fluid temperatures.
