"Nobody has a rink like this around here." That's according to the crew at the I-Wireless Center in Moline today, as they began building the ice rink for the Quad City Mallards' upcoming season.
Maintenance Superintendent, Rob Hoogerwerf, has been in charge of the project for the past 24 years. He says many people are surprised to learn what's really underneath the ice-- about 2,000 sheets of insulation, and 100 tons of sand.
He says the I-Wireless Center has the only sand-based ice rink in the area.
After the rink is painted white, Hoogerwerf's crew hand-paints the lines and logos on the ice. And, the whole process takes about 10 days.
He says there are always challenges along the way.
Hoogerwerf says the ice rink should be open at the I-Wireless Center by next Wednesday, so the Mallards can begin training for the new season.