Manchester Phoenix go into this weekend’s English Premier League closer to having a home next season.
The team currently play out of Deeside Ice Rink in North Wales and Wayne Scholes (pictured above), Red Hockey owner, believes the Phoenix could be moving into a new venue before the end of the 2015/16 season.
Scholes said: “We have secured the equipment to run an arena, and we’re very close to agreeing terms on the ideal location with some great partners. We want to start making the move as soon as we can.
“By getting everything in place by the end of March, we can hit the ground running next year. This will make the club’s new facility the premier venue for ice hockey in Manchester.”
Phoenix face fifth-place Swindon Wildcats away on Saturday. The Manchester side have already played the Wildcats twice in Red Hockey Cup matches, emerging on top with a draw and a win.
The side then return to Deeside on Sunday to face Sheffield Steeldogs. The Steeldogs took maximum points away from last weekend and currently sit sixth in the table.
Despite multiple injuries, Phoenix have enjoyed a good start to the season and currently sit second in the table behind Peterborough Phantoms.
Manchester Phoenix owner, Neil Morris, spoke of his delight at the progress: “The team is performing well in the league, and to see our plans for a rink come together is the icing on the cake.
“Red Hockey and Manchester Phoenix are working well together, as we knew we would.
“We have the development of ice hockey as a common bond and that just makes the future so much more exciting for the Red Hockey and Manchester Phoenix partnership.
“Phoenix are here to stay.”
Image courtesy of BCTV Sport via YouTube, with thanks.