Small Outdoor Rink Options

[Mroy31]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but here goes.

Have been wanting to create a little outdoor practice surface for a while.  I only have a small flat space in the backyard anyway (renting a walkout basement apt), but figured a 10'x10' or 10'x15' ice pad would be big enough for practicing slides, pushes, movement etc.

Any recommendations for a smaller build?  I've found a couple of options online, in addition to just going to Home Depot and getting lumber etc. but I've only got pretty simple wrenches/screwdrivers etc. tools-wise, so the more compact ready-made options are kind of appealing.

https://icengo.ca/product/ez-rink/ Seems like a more complicated build, but only costs about $200 CAD, smallest size is 12'x19'

https://www.ezicerinks.com/purchase/custom-rink  Looks like a much easier build, comes in 10'x10' or 10'x15', but cheapest option is $1,100

I could probably get lumber, hardware and tools for less than option 2.

Anybody else done this?  Is there a way easier option for a pad this small?

[IPv6Freely]

I'd lean towards option #2. Lumber is good but I definitely thing I'd prefer something fairly lightweight and easy to store in the off-season. For one season? Sure build your own. If you're going to use it year after year, I think its worth the investment.

All that said, you can certainly create a backyard rink without the boards and liner. We had one every year as a kid and never had anything like that. Just meant you may lose pucks in the snowbanks. Throw up some particle board at each end and you're probably good. 

[SaveByRichter35]

Buy a few fence posts and a tarp.  Lay the posts down in the shape/size of the rink you wanna make and lay the tarp down OVER the posts.  That keeps the water in the tarp until it freezes and also gives you a little border.  That's all we did when we made rinks when we were kids.