Things to Consider When Designing an Arena Dasher Board

Detailed planning and careful evaluation of thetimes poorly addressed by most arena managements.
different facility activities are needed when you areMost arena viewer’s shielding focus on little
selecting a perfect arena dasher board system. Thedirection. Most arenas also use heights of 8 inches on
type of sports to be played, the spectator seatingthe end and 6-8 inches on the side. This is regardless
and the maintenance requirement will dictate theof the number of spectators or viewers in the rink.
lay-out, quality, portability and heights your system• Support and Safety
needs. Below are some of the things you need toBecause of the many people going to the arena
consider in the selection and design of your dasherwhenever a certain event is to take place, safety
board system.should never be taken for granted. Safety should be
• Sizeconsidered when making gates, wings and the overall
Nowadays, most facilities install big sizes of icefacility. In the past, heavy arena equipment was used
surfaces but you have to remember that the size ofin gates, wings, rinks and the arena dasher boards.
your ice surface is set by many factors. You shouldHowever, safety was often neglected as priority is
consider the rules of the hockey association that willplaced in durability. Nowadays, arena managements
be playing in your arena to help you decide on thehave been more aware of the safety requirements
size of your hockey dasher boards. Other things totheir arenas should follow.
consider are the type of events or tournaments that• Installation
will be held in your arena, the size of the facility andThis is especially true when designing hockey dasher
the budget. These four need to be reviewed prior toboards. A more preferred method of installation is
deciding on your arena dasher board requirements.the placement of dasher boards on a refrigerated
• Flexibilityand concrete floor. This ensures expansion and
Flexibility needs to be considered before designingcontraction of the dashers along with the ice surface.
the facilities required for arena football, indoor soccer,It is also important to consider the method of
trade shows, concerts and hockey program. Ininstallation of the dasher boards for a better
addition, different arena equipment and arenautilization of the sand floors.
products such as aluminum frames, overhead gates,The arena dasher board is a major part of an arena
soccer goal sections, lift-out concert gates, lift-offproject. To most paying customers, the dasher board
access gates, plastic or steel ice dam, goal judgeis the most visible and the most important thing they
boxes, board and glass carts, portable boxes andnotice inside an arena. Above anything else, one
dasher board advertising may also be required.should consider a design of dasher board that will
• Heightprovide long term of service with only minimum
The height of the viewer’s shielding is oftenmaintenance required.