The Best Companies For Building A Back Yard Rink In Canada

The backyard rink is a quintessential Canadian tradition, but when it comes to turning that dream into reality, you face a critical choice: a natural ice setup or a powerful refrigerated rink?

In the Greater Toronto Area and across Canada, two names stand out for delivering professional-grade home ice: RinkBuild.com and Center Ice Rinks

We’ve broken down what each company offers to help you decide which one is the best backyard rink company in Canada for your family, budget, and hockey dreams.

---

RinkBuild.com (The Natural Ice Specialists)

RinkBuild.com focuses on creating the highest quality, custom-designed natural backyard skating rinks. This path is perfect for the affordable classic Canadian experience, relying on the cold winter weather to maintain the ice.

Feature	Detail & Benefit
Custom Natural Rinks	Specializing in levelled, custom-fitted rink frames designed to maximize skate time during the natural freeze period.
DIY Support	Providing expert-level how-to information and pro-grade materials (like liners and boards) for the dedicated homeowner who wants to rebuild and maintain the rink themselves.
Cost-Effective Entry	The cost of a natural rink is significantly lower than a refrigerated one, making it an accessible way to start your winter tradition.
End-End Service	Provides build, water, back yard rink maintenance, add-ons and end of season take down and storage.

Ideal for: The Canadian purist who embraces the cold, enjoys hands-on rink maintenance, and prioritizes a classic, community-focused outdoor rink experience.

---

Center Ice Rinks ( Refrigerated Rink Experts)

Center Ice Rinks  offers a broader range of high-end and advanced technology required for ultimate ice control.

Feature	Detail & Benefit
Refrigerated Rinks	They specialize in refrigerated rink systems, allowing you to maintain perfect ice quality even when outdoor temperatures climb above freezing. This extends your season significantly.
End-to-End Service	Services often include the full “white glove” experience: site evaluation, custom design, installation, tear-down, off-season storage, and 24/7 emergency ice maintenance.
Diverse Options	Experienced in refrigerated systems, they can cater to large, commercial-grade installations as well as luxury residential projects.

Ideal for: The serious hockey family or luxury homeowner who demands arena-grade ice consistency, wants to start skating earlier, finish later, and requires a full-service, hands-off maintenance plan.

---

⚖️ RinkBuild.com vs. Center Ice Rinks: The Key Differences

When choosing a backyard rink company in Canada, your decision will likely come down to three core factors: The Ice Type, Cost, and Commitment Level.

Factor	RinkBuild.com (Natural Ice)	Center Ice Rinks (Full-Service / Refrigerated)
Ice Type	Natural Ice. Rink quality relies on below-freezing temperatures.	Refrigerated or Natural. Can guarantee ice regardless of warm spells.
Installation	Custom board frames, premium liner,	Custom board systems, refrigeration piping, chiller unit installation, often with full-service installation.
Cost	Significantly lower initial cost. Small yearly cost for rebuild and take down.	High initial investment (for refrigeration system). Ongoing costs include power for the chiller unit.
Maintenance	Weekly maintenance provided + DIY maintenance information provided for clients.	Only emergency maintenance offered