Phoenix closing in

January 12, 2005

MANCHESTER Phoenix have reached the final stages of their preparation to bring professional ice hockey and public skating back to Greater Manchester.

Funding is in place for a semi-permanent building but the site of the new venue has yet to be decided.

Land near Sportscity is being discussed with Manchester City Council but Trafford is also interested in a new ice venue to replace the Derbyshire Road facility which closed down last year.

Both authorities have approval for new ice rinks but face a five- year wait before they can be built.

The Phoenix plan would bridge that gap and bring Elite League ice hockey back to the region in time for the start of next season.

A Phoenix spokesman said: "Our plans are progressing and we are at a very exciting phase.

"We cannot confirm the location of our new facility at this stage but hope to do so in the very near future."

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JOHN MILLINGTON, NORTH WALES (12/01/2005 at 15:37)

WHAT A DAY
PHOENIX ARE STARTING TO RISE AGAIN

Compo, Wythenshawe (12/01/2005 at 16:00)

(Both authorities have approval for new ice rinks but face a five- year wait before they can be built.)????WHY please explain

Dave Stewart, Manchester (12/01/2005 at 21:48)

This is good news, but if i didnt hear correctly isnt the Trafford borough getting a rink regardless of the Phoenix Suituation, and besides shouldnt "Sport"city gain another sporting venue, it may not lie well with the fans from south Manchester, but it makes sense, besides it isnt that further north than manchester itself! If it was in Trafford that would add another 30mins at least for fans from the North side to get there. I think that a Good long hard decsion has to be made, and hopefully the right one will be!

Mac, Salford (12/01/2005 at 22:21)

More to the point, is this separate from or additional to the potential rink in the Altrincham area that has been in the pipeline for some time?

Thomas, Manchester (13/01/2005 at 18:46)

Ice Hockey, Public Skating

What about Figure Skating? The proposed alty rink is by far the only ice rink that will cater for all ice sports. A rink made to hold professional ice hockey - only time will tell if this will be utilised for "the people" of manchester.

I have my doubts as to what Manchester Phoenix are trying to achieve!!

Rob Hutchinson, Audenshaw (14/01/2005 at 00:11)

I'll believe it when I see it. Alty closed March 2003. Since that date our family and many others have been taking our kids over to Bradford, West Yorkshire to play the sport they and we love. We are now averaging over 7,000 miles a year for the kids to play hockey. Are you as dedicated to hockey ? Would you like to travel the M62 on a Wednesday teatime at rush hour to be at training for 6:30 - I doubt it. Phoenix arent bothered about development they just want pro hockey. Get a development rink in Manchester and people will come and skate and bring their kids. Forget pro-hockey the UK cant compete, just look at the world championships U20 division 1.

C. Gull, Swinton (14/01/2005 at 07:25)

Yet wasnt the tory councils prefered ice rink for Altrincham after overturning the previous councils decision have a temporary facilty in the proposals.

Are teh phoenix jumping on the Alti bandwagon after giving them two fingers 18 months ago

mark cull, crewe (14/01/2005 at 15:08)

It would be great to see a rink that encompasses all forms of ice sport and discipline as offered by the Alti project.
Then a temporary rink that offers all the above and proper full development system from juniors up to senior level would be more than welcome.
Lets wait and see what this temporary rink does actually offer over and above proffesional ice hockey

Storm4ever, tameside (16/01/2005 at 17:40)

If it`s called Manchester Phoenix it should be in Manchester not cheshire.What better venue is there than sportcity?I would love to see 4 rinks in the Manchester area for all ice sports for all ages amateur or professional.The sooner the better ice hockey is back.Youth development is the way forward instead of imports thats were the problem lies from the sad end of the Storm to the Phoenix shambles last time.

cat, winton (14/01/2006 at 20:28)

this is a mint idea. i have been wanting to take up ice skating for ages but there are no rinks in my area

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