Thinking about building an ice rink? That’s exciting—but getting it built is just the start. The real challenge is making sure your facility is financially sustainable for the long haul. Whether you’re planning a community rink, a school or college facility, or a commercial sports complex, a well-thought-out business plan is what turns an ambitious idea into a viable project.
In this guide, you’ll get 9 practical tips for creating a business plan that attracts funding, supports smooth operations, and sets you up for long-term success.
Short on time? Use our ice rink cost calculator to get a quick estimate tailored to your facility—and don’t forget to grab our free business plan template to get started on your own financial model.
1. Understand Market Demand for Your Ice Rink
Start by identifying exactly who your rink will serve. Will it cater to youth hockey leagues, adult recreational teams, figure skating clubs, curling groups, or public skaters? Understanding your core user base helps shape your programming, pricing, and facility design from day one.
2. Map Out Revenue Streams in Your Ice Rink Business Plan
An ice rink can generate income in more ways than you might think. Public skating sessions, hockey leagues, ice rentals, skating lessons, private events, and birthday parties are just the beginning. You can also consider concessions, pro shop sales, advertising space, and corporate sponsorships to diversify your revenue.
3. Estimate Operating Costs for an Ice Rink Facility
Ice rinks are energy-intensive facilities. Include line items for utilities (especially electricity for refrigeration), staff wages, equipment maintenance, insurance, cleaning, and marketing. Don’t underestimate ongoing costs—this is where many business plans fall short.
4. Break Down Capital Costs in Your Ice Skating Rink Business Plan
Your rink type and layout will impact both your budget and operations. Will it be NHL or Olympic size? Do you need bleachers, locker rooms, or multi-use community spaces? Be sure to align facility design with your target users and revenue model.
Need help with understanding the construction costs? Use our ice rink construction cost calculator to get a tailored cost estimate in a matter of minutes.
5. Build a Pricing Strategy for Your Rink's Usage
Develop a competitive pricing structure for rentals, memberships, lessons, and events. Research local competitors and consider offering bundled packages or loyalty programs to encourage repeat use.
6. Don't Forget About Marketing in Your Ice Rink Business Plan
A great facility needs visibility. Your business plan should outline how you’ll attract users—through digital marketing, community events, school partnerships, or local sponsorships. Include a launch strategy for opening day and beyond.
7. Plan for Seasonality and Scheduling in Your Ice Rink Project
Many rinks see fluctuating demand across the year. Plan for peak seasons (winter leagues, holidays) and slower periods. Consider off-season uses—like dry floor events or synthetic ice—for year-round engagement.
8. Include Financial Projections in Your Ice Rink Business Plan
Include realistic financial projections for the next 3–5 years. This should cover revenue, expenses, cash flow, and break-even analysis. Show potential investors or stakeholders how and when the rink becomes sustainable.
9. Identify Funding Opportunities for Your Ice Skating Faciity
Finally, clarify how you’ll fund the build. Will it be a municipal project, private investment, or public-private partnership? Mention any grants, energy-efficiency programs, or community fundraising plans that will support the project financially.
How to Use the Ice Rink Business Plan Template
This downloadable ice rink business plan template is designed to help you estimate costs, plan revenue, and assess long-term viability for your ice rink project. Below is a walkthrough of each sheet with tips and real-life examples.
Sheet 1: Overview
This is your high-level summary of the project.
- Project Name: Example: “Lakeside Community Ice Arena”
- Facility Type: Choose between Indoor, Outdoor, or Seasonal (e.g. bubble dome).
- Rink Size: NHL (200×85), Olympic (200×100), Studio (smaller training rinks), or Curling-specific.
- Location: Enter city and state/province where the facility will be built.
- Target Opening Date: This helps frame your timeline and planning phases.
- Prepared By: Your name, company, or organization leading the project.
Sheet 2: Market & Usage
Define who your users are and how often they’ll use the facility. Fill in expected weekly hours of use for each audience.
Example:
- Youth hockey – 12 hours/week
- Public skating – 10 hours/week
Use the comments box to note demand from schools, local leagues, or club interest.
This sheet helps prove there’s a real need for your rink.
Sheet 3: Revenue Projections
In the Revenue Projections sheet, you’re forecasting how much income your ice rink will generate each month and annually. Here’s the thinking behind it:
- Expected usage hours (from Sheet 2)
- Capacity (how many skaters/events per week)
- Rental rates or ticket prices
- Calculate Monthly Revenue
Example – Public Skating:
Let’s say you expect to run 10 hours of public skating per week, with an average of 30 skaters per session, and you charge €10 per ticket.
Here’s the math: 10 hours × 30 skaters × €10 × 4 weeks = €12,000/month
Multiply that by 12 to get the annual revenue: €12,000 × 12 = €144,000/year
Repeat the same method for each revenue stream—league rentals, private events, lessons, etc.—to get your full revenue forecast.
Sheet 4: Operating Costs
This sheet helps you estimate your monthly and annual costs to keep the ice rink running smoothly. Include everything needed day-to-day:
- Staff wages (managers, front desk)
- Utilities (refrigeration, lighting, water)
- Maintenance, ice resurfacing, and repairs
- Insurance
- Marketing and admin tools (like booking software)
Example:
You estimate utilities at €4,000/month. The sheet multiplies this by 12 → €48,000/year.
Repeat this process for each cost line to see your total annual operating expenses.
Sheet 5: Capital Costs
This sheet covers your one-time construction and equipment costs to launch the facility. Include big-ticket items like:
- Land or site prep
- Building construction
- Refrigeration system
- Lighting, scoreboards, bleachers, furniture
Examples:
- Construction: €2.5 million
- Refrigeration: €350,000
- Lighting and electrical: €75,000
Add your full list of costs, and the sheet will show your total capital investment. This number is key for funding discussions and ROI planning.
If you need help with understanding the total construction costs of your ice rink, use our ice rink construction cost calculator to get a tailored estimate for your project.
We’ve also written in depth about how to build an ice rink to help project planners understand key considerations regarding the construction of the facility.
Sheet 6: Summary & ROI
This sheet ties everything together.
- It pulls totals from your revenue, cost, and capital sheets.
- It shows your estimated annual profit and ROI in years (how long until the project pays for itself).
- Use the Notes section to explain funding assumptions, like grant contributions or sponsorship deals.
Conclusion: Set Your Ice Rink Project Up for Success
Drafting a business plan for an ice rink is more than a budgeting exercise—it’s your roadmap to a financially sustainable and community-focused facility. By carefully estimating usage, revenue, costs, and return on investment, you’ll have a clear picture of what it takes to make your vision a reality.
This downloadable spreadsheet gives you the tools to get started, but the real value comes from using it to make smart, data-informed decisions as you move forward. Whether you’re pitching the idea to investors, applying for funding, or refining your internal planning, this business plan template is designed to support your success—one sheet at a time.
Need help finding qualified suppliers or funding opportunities? Explore our ice rink construction directory and grants database to take the next step.
