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NHL Will Begin Rink Construction Late Thursday Night

PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - The NHL Winter Classic is almost here and the league is beginning to prepare Heinz field for the New Year's Day event.

KDKA-TV reported that construction crews began working non-stop to get the temporary community rink ready in an area next to Stage AE. The rink will be open to the public from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1.

The NHL will have just over a week to to set up the hockey rink in Heinz Field. The league will begin setting up the rink within an hour after the Panthers-Steelers game ends Thursday night.

A refrigeration trailer will be brought in Friday, and power generators will be hooked up for the start of ice making late on Christmas Day.

The rink markings will be completed on Dec. 28, three days before the teams practice and a Capitals-Penguins alumni game is played.

The weather forecast for Jan. 1 calls for sunshine and a high of 36 degrees. For complete weather coverage for the Winter Classic weekend visit our weather page.

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