Devils ice rink fears are allayed

The Devils have been in their temporary home since 2006

A replacement for Cardiff Devils' temporary home in Cardiff Bay should be built by 2011, the city's council has said after fears of a delay.

A city centre rink was demolished for shops and the Devils have been in a plastic-walled venue since 2006.

It had been hoped a new permanent rink would open between 2009 and 2011 and the council said on Friday it was still working within that timeframe.

There had been fears the credit crunch might have delayed it further.

The Devils had hoped to move to their new home in December 2009, but their director of hockey Shannon Hope said on Thursday: "It's not looking the case now and we were probably aware of that for the last year or so that they were going to drag this a little bit."

The Devils have a contract for the temporary rink to be replaced with a permanent venue by 2011.

Council leader Rodney Berman said on Friday they were working on a business plan which identified the permanent rink as the top priority to be developed.

The rink will be part of the second phase of Cardiff's international sports village which already houses a £32m, 50m swimming pool.