With the help of Hayden Smith and his donated Hiab crane, five sections of seating are being hoisted into place at the Iceinline rink using rounded poles, a technique Mr Wallis said borrowed from ancient Egyptian engineering.
"They were heavy, but I think it gave some of the guys some much-needed cardio before the season," Mr Wallis said. "I can see how they built the pyramids now."
The seats have a history of their own, salvaged from Invercargill’s Stadium Southland after part of the roof collapsed during a 2010 snowstorm. The Alexandra club seized the opportunity to repurpose the undamaged seating, giving spectators a new vantage point for games and events.
"We want to provide a good view of the hockey games, figure skating competitions and curling events — they’re something everyone can enjoy," Mr Wallis said. "The stands are necessary because the club has grown, and so has the audience. There was nowhere for people to sit and properly watch the fastest game on earth."
The popularity and growth of the sport is evident across the board. Adult registrations have increased by at least 20% since last year, with female players leading the surge. Demand has been so strong that an additional women’s team has been added, with three women’s teams now competing against each other.
The Flames Ice Hockey League (FIHL) has also expanded with a new team, the Beavers, joining the competition, taking the total to seven. Interest among children is also on the rise, with more young players taking to the ice.
New club president Josh Hill said a recent restructure had helped spread the workload among members, with the installation of the stands a strong example of the club’s volunteer spirit.
"The new stands will be great for the ‘Battle of the Gorge’ games against Cromwell, and for parents watching their kids on Saturday mornings," Mr Hill said. "We’re also expecting great crowd support for the Saturday night FIHL games."
Behind the scenes, chief hoser Matt Elliot has been preparing the ice for the season, repainting the base and building up layers to create a smooth playing surface.
The new season gets under way this Saturday, with the women’s teams first to take the ice at 4.15pm and 5pm. Five games are scheduled across the evening, including a match-up between the Beavers and the Diamonds at 8.10pm.
Admission is free, with plenty of action expected from coast-to-coast dangles to scintillating saves.
