Why Florida's record-breaking weekend freeze is actually a sigh of relief for officials in Tampa

Floridians may be complaining about what could end up being a historically cold weekend across the state this weekend, and yes, it is going to be bitterly cold in Florida, and snow is even a potential across Tampa Bay; but, for construction workers and those working around the clock to keep an NFL field under and between 20 – 24 degrees Fahrenheit through Sunday night, this weather could not have come at a better time. 

The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to host what the NHL cold the “most ambitious outdoor game ever” on Sunday, February 1 against the Boston Bruins. And this feat, one that spans across an almost two-week period to setup and hope you don’t hit a hiccup along the way.

Construction of the stadium rink began at Raymond James Stadium right on time on January 19 and players and Lightning staff spoke about their excitement in interviews on January 20 as the construction continued.

ON January 23 the clock began to really tick as things got closer to ice getting laid down. But first came an air-conditioned tent will remain atop the ice rink until the mere hours before puck drop on Sunday night.

“For many years it was just hard to figure out how to engineer what we’re about to do,” said Steve Mayer. “We’re off and running and I can’t believe we’re just a few short days away,” he said.

Then came the moment of truth inside the insulated and vented 24 degree Fahrenheit, climate-controlled tent: it was time to lay some ice and began building a skating rink. On Sunday, just one week before puck drop, crews began arriving with mobile refrigeration units, 42 feet trailors connected to panels, all pumping glycol to pull heat from the surface and the process of laying and building the ice that the two teams will play on was officially under way.

And that same day it just so coincidentally was mentioned that there’s a chance Floridians see temperatures below 20 degrees across some parts of the state just in time for when officials will reveal the ice under the Florida sun in such a strategic time that it remains playable for the remainder of the stadium series matchup between the visiting Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

This drastic change in weather forecast was just what officials needed as they finish final preparations to play the “most ambitious outdoor game” in the history of the NHL.

With the ice beginning to go down, stadium signage began to change from Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Tampa Bay Lightning Stadium Series signage. Video boards began to be tested. And on Tuesday, just five days before puck drop, the rink outline was unveiled: a beautiful treasure map with Gasparilla floats surrounding the rink.

Teams will get their first look of the ice at team practices on January 31 and the NHL Outdoor Stadium series matchup between the Bruins and the Lightning takes place on Sunday, February 1.

And announced a couple weeks ago, this stadium series event will feature Grammy Award-winning musician, author, and actor, Tim McGraw headlining the entertainment during the first intermission.

The excitement is building in Tampa Bay as the NHL’s biggest outdoors feat is now just days away.