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After the Olympic Oval was shut down for nearly 12 months, the oval team is working hard to be ready for the 2021/2022 season.��It was a tough year because the ice had to be taken out��prematurely��due to a mechanical issue.��Having worked to resolve the issue, the oval is close to re-opening. This is a critical year for speedskating, Canada’s highest Winter Olympic medal-winning sport. Opening the oval will enable the Canadian National Team to resume training in the buildup to the Beijing Olympics.

There is a reason why speedskaters anecdotally refer to the Olympic Oval as ‘Canada’s medal factory’ —��that's because the oval provides world-class facilities and ice to allow skaters to perform at their absolute best.

“It’s exciting to see the ice back in and know that our national long-track team��(team singular)��will soon be able to resume training for Beijing 2022. We��also��can’t wait to welcome the university community and Calgarians back to enjoy all that our facility has to offer,”��says Peter McCrory, director of the Olympic Oval.

How to create the fastest ice in the world

It is a lot of work to create fast ice.

“We’re fortunate to have a highly trained team of professionals who really know how to get the job done and create an ice quality that��competes with��anywhere else in the world,”��acknowledges the oval’s operations manager, Mark Messer.��

It starts with cooling the concrete bed to about -7 C. Then they place the first layer of ice down using a Jet Ice sprayer (it looks like a mini crop duster). Once three thin layers seal the concrete,��this same sprayer sprays a coating of special white water-based paint that immediately freezes on the ice (who knew?). Since the ice is naturally clear, painting is required to get the brilliant white arena look.��

After the paint job is finished, the team adds official logos and lines onto the ice. At the same time, sensors are added for timing and race results.��The team��seals the ice again and finally adds more layers (about 1 ¼ inch) to the ice to seal it completely.��

“It’s an exact science, but the oval operations team, after all, has been doing this for 34 years,”��says Messer.����

Oval ice makers’ expertise internationally recognized ��

The team��have also helped eight Olympic cities with their ice (including Beijing next 2022) with their ice-making process. This is why the Olympic Oval continues to be known as 'The Fastest Ice in the World.'��

After the last 15 months of a global pandemic, Calgarians need places to recreate and participate in sport for their physical and mental well-being. The oval offers opportunities for families and athletes to recreate and train under the same roof. Now is the time to get those skates sharpened and ready for the season��because��the oval team can’t wait to welcome��you back��to this amazing facility.��

As the ice surfaces are prepared, follow the progress on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @theolympicoval and stay tuned to the for details of when the doors will open to the public, COVID-19 restrictions permitting.��