Bay Roberts man builds ice resurfacer from plastic pipe and a towel

A Bay Roberts man has turnedsome plastic water pipe, a garden hose and a bathroom towel into the perfect homemade ice resurfacer for his backyard rink.

Derek Drover owns a construction company and spends his days building and renovating homes.

He used some of that know-how to maintainhisimpressive 9 x12-metrerink.

He debuted the contraption on Sunday,and posted a video on Facebook.

The reaction was immediate and overwhelmingly positive, with some people encouraging Drover to manufacture the device for sale.

"It took me 20 minutes to put together," Drover told CBC News.

Ice resurfacer

9 years ago

Duration 1:43

Derek Drover made the homemade resurfacer in about 20 minutes from 1.5 inch PVC piping and a blanket.

He used some 1.5 inch PVC piping, a garden hose, a water shut-off valve anda large beach towel.

The key, he said, is to scrape as much snow as possible off the surface, and cover the ice with a thin layer of water.

It's the same principle used by a commercial ice resurfacer at any neighbourhood arena.

When conditions are right, Drover said the ice is ready for skating in about 10 minutes.

He would previously flood the surface with his garden hose, but that usually meant his two children, nine-year-old Abbigail and Daniel, 6, would have to wait overnight to lace up their skates.

"It works likea charm," said Drover.

Conditions for making backyard rinkshave been ideal in recent weeks.

A lack of snow and frigid temperatures also meant ponds throughout the province have been major attractions for skating enthusiasts.

That's welcome news in Conception Bay North, where skaters have been struggling for ice time because of the closure of the Bay Arena on December 18 following an electrical fire.

The Bay Arena,one of the busiest rinks in the province, is not expected to reopen until mid-February.