PLANS for a new ice rink facility in the heart of Altrincham have finally been announced.

The news ends months of patient waiting for Manchester Phoenix and their loyal fans as Trafford Borough Council published and made public the details.

The club said that the new facility will be able to accommodate a mixture of 2,000 seated and 450 standing fans for Phoenix hockey games, and more importantly put ice sports well and truly back on the sporting calendar for the whole of the local community and Greater Manchester in general.

Phoenix Managing Director Neil Morris was understandably buoyant as he said: "It's been a long wait, but a worthwhile wait.

"We've been in talks and negotiations for so many months now, I'm sure some people must have doubted whether the project would ever reach reality.

"Well, thanks to the efforts and support of Trafford, and working together with the developers of the Altrincham re-development, David McLean Nikal, we've brought about what everyone connected with the Phoenix has yearned for - a new building, in a prime location, with superb communication and access links - truly a place we can call home for years to come."

Whilst a definite date for building work to start is still to be confirmed, Morris added: "As soon as we know when the spades can break the surface, we'll announce it so people can come along and see the dream actually begin to take place.

"The new building will not just be an ice rink though; it will incorporate food and beverage facilities and will become a focal point for young and old alike wishing to get involved in on-ice activities.

"We envisage construction beginning this side of Christmas and completion by the Summer - we'd really like to open the doors to the public as soon as possible."

Morris has teamed up with Mike Petrouis, whose specialist ice-facility management Knowledge is respected throughout the United Kingdom and Europe, forming a new venture named 'nICE Leisure' to oversee both day-to-day and professional sporting event management of the new rink.

Morris said: "Teaming up with Mike and Planet Ice makes an incredible amount of sense. Mike and his team know what running an ice facility takes and we know - from the Phoenix perspective - what we want in terms of a home base for our senior hockey team and the junior development programme we intend to offer and encourage.

"Hockey will become an integral part of the sporting agenda and the needs of figure skaters and on-ice recreational activities will be catered for."

Phoenix hockey fans will be desperate for seating plan details and news about a new team and Morris was quick to confirm that as soon as the definitive seating layout and exact numbers are finalised, fans will be able to start reserving their seats for the 2006/7 Elite League hockey season.

"The exact number of seats has a margin for change, but we're looking at a minimum of 2,000 seats and in the region of 450 standing fans.

"However the final configuration pans out, we're sure it will create an imposing atmosphere with no fans having an unobstructed view of the ice surface.

"We know that many fans have preferred seating positions and we'll do our utmost to accommodate as many as we can - the golden rule though will be 'book early.'"