During a lengthy NHL lockout, a Chicago family of hockey enthusiasts found themselves craving their favorite winter pastime more than ever. The rink in the neighborhood was quiet, the streets empty of the familiar clack of skates on concrete, and evenings felt unfinished without professional games. Rather than wait for the league to return, they decided to transform waiting into a project that would bring the game home. They recruited every willing pair of hands in the house, mapped out a plan on the kitchen table, and began a weekend mission that fused ingenuity with simple, stubborn hope. The idea of a backyard rink wasn’t just about skating; it was about keeping the family connected to the sport they loved, passing down the tradition to younger players, and turning a shared frustration into a learning adventure. As the days grew colder and forecasts clung to the promise of freezing nights, the family embraced the challenge, learning as they went and cheering each small milestone along the way. The project became more than a pastime; it became a family ritual that offered a tangible reminder that games could be played again, even if the scoreboard was temporarily out of commission.
They dedicated themselves to a step by step build, pouring water in measured layers over several weekends and patiently waiting for each layer to freeze. The total water used rose to about 15,000 gallons, enough to form a sturdy surface the family could skate on during cold spells. Throughout the project they photographed every stage—more than 28,000 images—to capture the progress, setbacks, and small breakthroughs. These visuals were later stitched into a compelling video that turned a labor of love into a narrative of perseverance, teamwork, and a little winter magic.
View the entire journey in the video that follows, a time-lapse that condenses weeks into minutes and shows the transformation from bare lawn to a fully functional ice surface. It highlights the planning, the care in leveling the site, the strategic layering of water, and the moments of triumph when the surface finally shone under the lights.
Backyard Ice Rink Time-Lapse from Four Winds on Vimeo.