Summary

Technicians are working to create a temporary indoor speed skating rink in Rho, Italy, for the upcoming 2026 Winter Games. This project involves managing precise temperatures and ice quality within a repurposed trade fair hall to ensure safe and consistent conditions for athletes.

Important facts

• A temporary speed skating track is being constructed inside existing trade fair halls in Rho, Italy.
• The process uses a network of pipes carrying glycol to maintain sub-zero temperatures.
• Technicians must balance water purity to prevent the ice from becoming too brittle.
• The rink must support the weight of six-ton resurfacing machines without shifting the underlying insulation.

Details

As the 2026 Winter Games approach, preparations are underway in the city of Rho, just north of Milan. Because a permanent stadium was not used, engineers have had to transform a large trade fair hall into a high-performance speed skating venue. This is a significant technical undertaking because temporary structures lack the built-in stability of permanent Olympic arenas.

To create the ice, workers first installed thick layers of insulation to level the floor of the hall. Above this, a complex web of pipes and rubber tubes was laid down. These pipes carry glycol, a substance used as an antifreeze, which is chilled to temperatures around minus-7 or minus-8 degrees Celsius. This constant cooling from beneath is what allows a thin layer of water to freeze into solid, usable ice.

The making of the ice is a repetitive and delicate process. Water is applied in many tiny layers using spray nozzles. Once a few centimeters have formed, the surface is painted white to provide visibility, and lanes are marked for the skaters. As the ice grows thicker, workers use hoses to add more weight. A major concern is keeping the surface free from dust, frost, or dirt, as even tiny particles can create friction that slows down a skater's blade.

A significant challenge in this temporary setup is the weight of the equipment. The machines used to resurface the ice, such as the Zamboni, weigh approximately six tons. In a permanent building, the floor is designed to handle such heavy loads easily. However, in a repurposed hall, there is a risk that the pressure from these machines could shift the insulation or the network of pipes underneath, potentially damaging the rink or creating uneven surfaces.

Context

Building temporary sports venues is often a result of logistical or financial planning decisions made by host organizations. While such projects can be efficient in terms of space usage, they introduce variables that permanent structures do not have. In Rho, the tight schedule means there is a very small window for testing and fine-tuning. Unlike permanent rinks, where test events might happen a year in advance, this temporary site has had to learn from recent junior competitions with very little time to make adjustments.

The success of the venue depends on managing the 'microclimate' inside the hall. With thousands of spectators expected at each event, the heat and humidity generated by people can affect how quickly the ice melts or how much frost forms on the surface. Engineers must carefully balance air temperature, humidity, and the temperature of the glycol flowing through the pipes to keep the environment stable.

Analysis

This project highlights the immense technical labor required to host large-scale sporting events in temporary settings. While the focus is often on the glory of the athletes, the reality is a complex struggle against physics and environmental variables. The reliance on high-tech cooling systems and specialized machinery shows how much 'artificial' effort goes into creating the conditions we take for granted.

Moving forward, as the athletes begin their training sessions in January, the focus will shift from construction to optimization. If the engineers can successfully manage the weight of the machines and the heat from the crowds, this temporary hall could become a high-speed venue. However, any failure in the underlying infrastructure—like a shift in the insulation or a leak in the glycol pipes—could lead to inconsistent conditions, potentially impacting the fairness of the upcoming competitions.