Thinking of building an outdoor rink this winter? The Home Depot and the Belleville Bulls are teaming up to offer outdoor rink makers the chance to face off against members of your Belleville Bulls in what will undoubtedly be the biggest game on the block this season. And it all takes place right in your own backyard!

If you or a family member is planning on building a backyard rink, be sure to enter to win a chance to play a game of shinny on your backyard rink against members of the Bulls hockey team.

To enter, simply DOWNLOAD THIS APPLICATION FORM and email it to Bulls Community Relations Coordinator Erica Holgate at erica@bellevillebulls.com

All materials needed to build a backyard rink are available at your local The Home Depot store. One entry per person is permitted. Entrant must submit a photo of their backyard rink with their contest entry in order to qualify. Contest closes at 12 p.m. on Monday, February 25th, 2013. The winner will be randomly selected through a draw on Wednesday, February 27th, 2013 when the Bulls host the Brampton Battalion. Please note, the Belleville Bulls reserve the right to confirm that the winner built a backyard rink.

10 tips on how to build your backyard rink

1. When thickening your ice, create thin layers at a time (0.5 cm). If you flood the rink with too much water at a time the thick layer of ice could crack.
2. Fill the cracks in the ice with snow rather than water. This prevents the water from seeping through the cracks and thawing the surface underneath resulting in shell ice.
3. Place your rink on a shaded, flat surface, close to a source of water and a source of light for night skating.
4. Sweep the ice around the perimeter with a corn broom to prevent a ridge from developing.
5. The warmer the weather, the finer the spray and the less water you should use. If you over-water in warm weather you will have a thin layer of ice over water commonly known as shell ice.
6. For warmer climates with less snow and the potential risk of rain, it is best to use a vapour barrier (plastic tarp) over a base of flat packed snow. 
7. To clean the surface of your rink, scrape the ice with a sharp steel flat edge on a wide snow pusher.
8. When using a tarp under your ice surface, it should be approx. 2ft. longer and 2 ft. wider than the actual size of your rink.
9. First make your ice after three days of temperatures below 10C to ensure the ground if frozen. Ensure there is enough snow for a strong foundation or if using a tarp ensure the ice is 3 inches thick before you stand on it.
10. A plastic tarp helps protect grass from ice damage; gives a flatter rink in less time and helps contain the water during a substantial thaw. Also, 2 inch by 6 inch (or 8 inch) pressure-treated perimeter boards will help maintain your ice during a thaw.