Winter Classic 2012: With Boards In Place, Rink Takes Shape At Citizens Bank Park

The Winter Classic rink at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia is taking shape this Wednesday, as the crew on the playing surface is busy erecting the boards that actually make the baseball stadium look ready for hockey. Adam Kimelman of NHL.com has some photos.

The first section getting locked in place...

And a few hours later, a wide view from the temporary bleachers in the outfield, already up and ready for the game:

Slowly but surely, Citizens Bank Park is getting ready for hockey. Rain in Philadelphia forced some setbacks on Tuesday, but things seem on track. TV towers are being set up in the outfield, according to Kimelman on NHL.com, a stage will go up in left field and banners and signage are starting to poke their way out of boxes and into the light of the ballpark. 

Once the boards are up and the piping is run under the playing surface, the next step is to pipe in the coolant from the refrigeration truck that sits on the street outside of the stadium. Once that's ready, it's time to make ice. It's really incredible how quickly this all comes together.