The main venue of the Bloomage LIVE Yudong Project. (Photo by He Zhouxing)

The appearance of Bloomage LIVE Stadium in Yudong.

CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- It only takes 6-8 hours for an ice rink to become a basketball court. According to Bloomage LIVE Yudong Project, the 1,800-square-meter ice surface in the main venue completed an ice-making test. It marked that the first international "standard ice rink" in the southwest China appears in Banan Disrtrict. In the future, the highest level of professional ice hockey competition in the world - the National Hockey League (NHL) may also be held in Chongqing.

Speaking of the "standard ice rink", it is the ice rink used in professional winter sport competitions.

The ice surface of the main venue of the Bloomage LIVE Yudong Project is made according to the ice surface standard of international ice events. The ice surface area is 1,800 square meters, which is the first in the Southwest China.

Covered with a “quilt", the ice rink can become a basketball court in 6-8 hours

The production of a "standard ice rink" in the main venue of the Bloomage LIVE Yudong Project takes 7 days, and the thickness of ice is 3.5cm - 4.0cm.

However, a stadium need to host many sports events – it is common to have winter sports on one day and basketball games on the next day. Bloomage LIVE Yudong project has devised a plan for the conversion of the venue.

"When the conversion happens, we will remove walls and glass panels around the rink, then cover the ice with a “quilt', and then lay insulated plywood, the transition time is within 6 to 8 hours." The person in charge said. It is a common practice among foreign stadiums and the "quilt" is used by many NBA stadiums in the United States.

After the rink is completely covered by the “quilt”, the “quilt” not only protects the ice surface, but also ensures the hardness and friction of the ground. Wooden floor of a basketball game as well as the stage of a concert can be built directly on the rink when it is covered by the "quilt".

This year plans to introduce NHL, and next year NBA China!

At present, based on the ice production efficiency and ice surface conditions of the main venue of Bloomage LIVE Yudong Project, it can host more than 10 ice-sports such as international curling, ice hockey, figure skating and short track speed skating. The Bloomage LIVE Yudong Project is expected to be put into use in October. Due to construction period being prolonged, the plan to introduce the NBA China Tournament was temporarily suspended.

"We will do our best next year. Not only the NBA China, but we plan to introduce the world's highest level professional ice hockey competition - the National Hockey League (NHL)."

By then, Chongqing people will be able to enjoy the world's top sports event in their home country. (Translated by Yang Lifu, Fathom Language Limited)