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Rink status: concrete begins to flow

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Wednesday afternoon saw the concrete finally begin to flow on the site of the new Altrincham Ice Dome - the new home to the Manchester Phoenix Ice Hockey Club.

Councillor Susan Williams, Leader of Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council; Stephanie Poole, Executive Member with Portfolio for Strategic Planning, Property and Prosperity; Altrincham Ward Councillor Michael Young and Sonia Cubrilo, Head of Area Services were joined by Phoenix MD and nIce Leisure co-director Neil Morris as the first concrete was laid at the Oakfield Road site, part of the Station Location development.

Council Leader Cllr Susan Williams was delighted to see work start to keep the project timetable on track. "It's important to us that an ice arena returns to Altrincham as soon as practicable. It's a much-missed community facility," she said.

Morris remarked, "this is another milestone on the road to the new facility that will not only be the home to the Phoenix and our Junior Development teams but, will also serve the area as its community ice rink. I was delighted that the representatives of Trafford Borough Council were able to join me and the media personnel in attendance, along with the fans who are always supportive of the club."

In just a few days time, the main bed of concrete that will form the base for the actual ice pad will be laid and with delivery of the pre-fabricated building sections due from the Finnish manufacturer also imminent, rapid changes on the site can be expected over the next couple of weeks.

With a September opening date in mind, everyone connected with the new rink are keeping their fingers crossed that the glorious summer weather will continue to aid the construction process. A site spokesman said, "Of course we can work if the weather does turn, but it's so much nicer for all concerned if it stays fine. Once the building arrives with the Finnish workforce, the actual erection of the framework will be very quick and in no time at all, the plans the fans have looked at today will take shape and have much more impact."