Steaming hot water will hit freezing cold concrete this week as workers begin making the first layers of ice for the Mansfield StarCenter’s two rinks.
The mist is sprayed hot to prevent air bubbles. Each layer is a fraction of an inch thick so the process will be repeated multiple times over three or four days. The final ice sheet will be less than 2 inches thick but could last for several years with proper Zamboni maintenance.
The tedious process is the final step before the 80,000-square-foot facility grand opening and ribbon cutting on Aug. 30. That weekend will kick off with a 40-team travel tournament that will feature the best youth teams from Texas and Oklahoma.