FORMER ice dancing star Nicky Slater will be outlining his ambitious plans for a new rink in Altrincham at a meeting in Bowdon tonight (Thursday).

Nicky is currently trying to raise the cash to finance the £3.5 million centre, which is earmarked for a car park site across from the new Tesco store.

His Adventure!... on Ice company wants to build the centre, to replace the town's existing rink, which is due to close in the spring to make way for a housing development.

And the former British champion wants skating enthusiasts to get behind his venture by investing £1,000 in it by joining a 'founder membership' scheme.

He said he sees Altrincham as a 'flagship' centre that will demonstrate the commercial and social benefits of an ice rink to other local authorities throughout the country.

He continued: "The founder membership scheme gives the community a chance to get involved and help us make a difference by building this facility."

For £1,000 founder members will get a package that includes their name on the founders' wall, and use of a membership room.

He explained that the project has to overcome the obstacle that the value of the land, which is about £2 million, is not sufficient to underwrite full borrowing for the £3.5 million project.

Council chiefs at Trafford have agreed to support the ambitious scheme in principle and have provided the town centre site next to the Metrolink station for it. The planned opening date for the new rink has been put back from April to August/September.

*The meeting to discuss the ice rink project is being held on Thursday, October 24 at 7.30pm at the Bowdon Rooms (upstairs), Firs Road, Bowdon. Those attending will be able to quiz Nicky about his plans.

Adventure on Ice can be contacted on tel 01273 621 910 or at info@adventure.co.uk