Polygon helps ice rink stay cool during curling championships

Curling may still be considered a niche sport, but its popularity has grown significantly, particularly following its prominent role in the 2022 Winter Olympics. The Dumfries Ice Bowl in Scotland, which proudly welcomed Team GB’s medal-winning curlers home from Beijing, regularly hosts elite-level events such as the Scottish and English Curling Championships. For competitions of this calibre, the quality of the ice is critical. Even slight fluctuations in temperature or humidity can compromise the playing surface, leading to melting or crystallisation that can affect gameplay.

Challenge

Under normal conditions, the Ice Bowl’s in-house systems are sufficient to manage air temperature and ice quality. However, during major championships, large crowds introduce excess moisture and body heat into the venue, straining the existing climate control systems. The combination of wet clothing and a densely packed space can dramatically shift ambient conditions, putting the ice surface at risk. Just two weeks ahead of a major competition, Polygon was called in to provide a robust, efficient solution to maintain perfect ice conditions and ensure the event could go ahead without disruption.

Solution

Rather than recommending a costly and complex system involving long runs of temporary ducting, the Polygon team designed a smarter, more energy-efficient approach. By routing additional cooling through the venue’s existing fresh-air intake system and connecting to the current electrical supply, Polygon avoided the need for fossil-fuel-powered generators. Drawing on previous experience with similar projects, the team calculated the precise cooling requirements based on expected visitor numbers and corresponding humidity and temperature increases.

The temporary system was fitted with a humidistat that automatically activated the cooling based on set target levels, while continuously monitoring and logging atmospheric data. A standby backup unit was also on-site to eliminate risk and ensure uninterrupted climate control throughout the championship.

Results

Thanks to Polygon’s strategic planning and energy-conscious design, the Ice Bowl maintained optimal conditions for high-stakes curling without the need for disruptive infrastructure or additional fuel costs. The venue successfully hosted the championships without issue, preserving the integrity of the ice and the quality of play, and reinforcing its reputation as one of the UK’s leading curling destinations.