We had a used bluestone patio installed behind our home that's about 18' x 22' and we'd love to install a skating rink for our grandchildren to play on. We can find home rink kits (that utilize tarps) with no problem but I'm concerned about what the weight of ice might do to the bluestone patio. It is mortared in between the stones and naturally uneven (for that Old World look). There would be no hockey or other heavy usage - just some kiddies learning how to use ice skates. Still, even 3" of ice over that square footage might do in our patio (now 5 years old) and we wouldn't do that. What does the expert say - are we worried over nothing or is this just a bad idea?

It would be much better to place the skating rink on the lawn than the bluestone patio. Much too much weight that could crack and damage the bluestone. I had a skating rink when I was a kid and I had it in the yard on the lawn and it worked just fine. You need more than the 3" though to make it a smoothed out surface once the water has frozen. 4" is better.

Thanks for responding - I guess in my gut I knew that would be the answer but was hoping to hear from someone who actually HAD done this with success. Unfortunately, creating a skating link on a lawn area is not an option for us so we'll just have to schlep the little lovies down to the local rink! Thanks again.