Ice skating rink structure and method

1 . A support member for elevating a retaining wall panel of a portable ice skating rink, the support member comprising:

a base arrangement being configured to engage a mounting surface;

a height elevating section extending from the base arrangement, the height elevating section having a first receiving area configured to receive a wall panel;

a surface extending between the base arrangement and the height elevating section, the surface having a plurality of mounting areas each being configured to receive a lateral brace member.

2 . The support member of claim 1 , wherein the base arrangement has an anti- skid feature formed as a series of angled teeth.

3 . The support member of claim 1 , wherein each mounting area of the plurality of mounting areas extends along an axis oriented perpendicularly with respect to the base arrangement.

4 . The support member of claim 1 , wherein a mounting area of the plurality of mounting areas includes a first slot that extends along a first axis, and wherein the first receiving area includes a second slot that extends along a second axis parallel to the first axis.

5 . The support member of claim 1 , wherein the surface includes a plurality of spaced apart stepped portions and a mounting area of the plurality of mounting areas is formed between two adjacent stepped portions, wherein each stepped portion of the plurality of stepped portions is formed as a cantilever structure and is at least partially curved at a free end.

6 . The support member of claim 1 , wherein the height elevating section includes a curved edge.

7 . A retaining wall system for elevating a retaining wall panel of a portable ice skating rink, the retaining wall system comprising:

a first support member;

a second support member spaced apart from the first support member;

a load bearing portion extending between the first support member and the second support member, wherein the load bearing portion is a net; and

a water impermeable liner supported by the load bearing portion;

further comprising a brace extending between the first support member and the second support member, wherein the brace is configured to support the net.

8 . The retaining wall system of claim 7 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are configured to support a wall panel in a substantially vertical orientation and the net is removably secured to at least one of the first support member, the second support member and the wall panel by a fastener system.

9 . The retaining wall system of claim 7 , wherein first support includes an anti-skid feature formed as a series of angled teeth configured to engage a mounting surface.

10 . The retaining wall system of claim 7 , wherein the first support member includes a first slot and the second support member includes a second slot, and wherein the brace is received within the first slot and the second slot.

11 . The retaining wall system of claim 7 , wherein the first support member includes an opening with an internal channel and wherein a tensioning member is connected to the first support member through the opening and the internal channel, wherein the tensioning member is configured to increase tension across the net.

12 . The retaining wall system of claim 7 , wherein:

the first support member includes a first inclined surface;

the second support member includes a second inclined surface; and

the net is at least partially supported by the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface.

13 . A retaining wall system for elevating a retaining wall panel of a portable ice skating rink, the retaining wall system comprising:

a first support member;

a second support member spaced apart from the first support member;

a flexible sheet extending between the first support member and the second support member; and

a water impermeable liner supported by the flexible sheet;

further comprising a brace extending between the first support member and the second support member, wherein the brace is configured to support the net.

14 . The retaining wall system of claim 13 , wherein the first support member and the second support member are configured to support a wall panel in a substantially vertical orientation and the flexible sheet is removably secured to at least one of the first support member, the second support member and the wall panel by a fastener system.

15 . The retaining wall system of claim 13 , wherein first support includes an anti-skid feature formed as a series of angled teeth configured to engage a mounting surface.

16 . The retaining wall system of claim 13 , wherein the first support member includes a first slot and the second support member includes a second slot, and wherein the brace is received within the first slot and the second slot.

17 . The retaining wall system of claim 13 , wherein the first support member includes an opening with an internal channel and wherein a tensioning member is connected to the first support member through the opening and the internal channel, wherein the tensioning member is configured to increase tension across the net.

18 . The retaining wall system of claim 13 , wherein:

the first support member includes a first inclined surface;

the second support member includes a second inclined surface; and

the net is at least partially supported by the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface.

19 . A retaining wall system for elevating a retaining wall panel of a portable ice skating rink, the retaining wall system comprising:

a first support member;

a second support member spaced apart from the first support member;

a load bearing portion extending between the first support member and the second support member, wherein the load bearing portion is a net; and

a water impermeable liner supported by the load bearing portion;

wherein the first support member includes an opening with an internal channel and wherein a tensioning member is connected to the first support member through the opening and the internal channel, wherein the tensioning member is configured to increase tension across the net.

20 . A retaining wall system for elevating a retaining wall panel of a portable ice skating rink, the retaining wall system comprising:

a first support member;

a second support member spaced apart from the first support member;

a load bearing portion extending between the first support member and the second support member, wherein the load bearing portion is a net; and

a water impermeable liner supported by the load bearing portion;

wherein:

the first support member includes a first inclined surface;

the second support member includes a second inclined surface; and

the net is at least partially supported by the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface.

21 . A retaining wall system for elevating a retaining wall panel of a portable ice skating rink, the retaining wall system comprising:

a first support member;

a second support member spaced apart from the first support member;

a flexible sheet extending between the first support member and the second support member; and

a water impermeable liner supported by the flexible sheet;

wherein the first support member includes an opening with an internal channel and wherein a tensioning member is connected to the first support member through the opening and the internal channel, wherein the tensioning member is configured to increase tension across the net.

22 . A retaining wall system for elevating a retaining wall panel of a portable ice skating rink, the retaining wall system comprising:

a first support member;

a second support member spaced apart from the first support member;

a flexible sheet extending between the first support member and the second support member; and

a water impermeable liner supported by the flexible sheet;

wherein:

the first support member includes a first inclined surface;

the second support member includes a second inclined surface; and

the net is at least partially supported by the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface.