The company's ice rink installation packages have grown enormously in popularity in recent years. Venue operators range from sports arenas to local authority leisure centres and gardening centres - and, in the 2010-11 season, a stellar triple bill of the 02, the London Eye and Westfield Shopping Centre in the capital.
John Burgess, account manager in the live events department for Stage Electrics, said of the 2010-11 season, "We've developed a complete one-stop package which is very flexible in terms of the size and the site requirements, using ice rink technology that's very well proven and energy efficient, and this year it proved its worth quite spectacularly in London as well as our other regular sites."
The largest of the London sites was at the 02, where an 800sq.m rink was located close to the venue's main entrance. In two giant marquees, Stage Electrics' team provided the rink itself, together with lighting, sound and rigging systems and safety barriers. Also in the package was the adjoining Skate Exchange, fitted with benches where skaters could fit their skates and a café area where outside caterers provided snacks and refreshments.
Among the more specialised aspects of rink operation are the multiple flooding and freezing process needed to create the ice itself, and special machinery to maintain the smoothness of its surface throughout the season. Stage Electrics' health and safety department, based in the Bristol headquarters, undertakes risk assessments for each site on behalf of the hirer.
Depending on the site, Stage Electrics also provides generators, drainage systems, decorative lighting, weatherproof sound systems for background music and announcements, base structures, rubber matting, benches, the skates themselves - and the seal-shaped 'skate assistants', highly popular with small children.
The company's experience with rinks also means it can cope with the worst the winter can throw at it - from rain to snow. Ian Tregaskis, project manager for the 02 ice rink, commented, "Ironically, freezing weather during installation means the flooding has to be done much more slowly and carefully to ensure the ice build up happens correctly."
Meanwhile at the London Eye, the open air 'EyeSkate' rink, installed for Eye operator Merlin, was themed and lit by Stage Electrics to match the Eye's blue lighting theme and located directly in front of the Eye itself.
At Westfield, a large and hugely popular rink was sited in the centre's main atrium, where the ice action drew hundreds of spectators and skaters queued to take their turn on the ice.
"It's been a phenomenal season," adds Burgess, "and it seems like staging well presented family entertainment events in unusual locations is quite a hit."
(Jim Evans)
