We are so grateful and send out a million thanks to our wonderful partners, Extreme Ice Center, for purchasing a new ice laser-leveling system that will be used exclusively on our rink. We’re happy to announce the system has been ordered and should arrive by the end of May. We expect installation and testing to occur shortly thereafter and can’t wait to see the results! Anyone who curls on arena ice is well aware of the challenges we see, and that’s no fault to anyone, it’s just the lay of the land (or ice) in a multipurpose facility. To have a partner/host who cares enough about your club to take this step, however, is not something you see very often and Charlotte Curling couldn’t be any luckier to have such a partner.

The ice leveler involves separate blades that attach to the Zamboni and have what is basically an independent suspension, allowing it to shift and conform to the ice surface. Using a fixed point on one end of the arena wall, laser guidance directs the blades on how to cut and shave the ice with a target accuracy of .05mm. There are more benefits beyond the obvious flat, level surface on which to curl; figure skating and hockey will also notice the improvement and the arena will see reduced maintenance costs by being able to keep the ice at a consistent, level depth.

This new system, along with the rebuilding of the ice in July, should give us ice quality for Grits ‘n’ Granite as close to dedicated ice as you can get in an arena. We can’t wait to see what it’s like!

Thank you and good curling!