Christmas has come early to the Isle of Man with the announcement that the Villa Marina Gardens are to be home to a temporary ice rink over the festive period.
The full-size, real ice rink is being brought over by telecoms company Sure and will be open to the public for six weeks from 23rd November.
Details of the attraction were announced today (5th October) at an official launch attended by 'Dancing on Ice' star Kyran Bracken (pictured).
Bracken, a former England Rugby International player and World Cup winner, won the ITV show in 2007 and has since toured the UK with his smash hit Ice Party show.
Kyran's ice-skating company has joined forces with Sure and Nokia Siemens Network to bring the rink to the Island.
The rink, which measures 18 x 30 metres, will be able to accommodate up to 200 skaters at a time.
Weighing 50 tonnes and with a capacity for 50,000 litres of water, the framework will take one week to put together and another to dismantle after its closure on 3rd January, 2010.
To prevent wintry weather spoiling the fun, the rink will be covered by a marquee in the Gardens.
At the launch, Kyran spoke of the way in which skating brings family and friends together, capturing the Christmas spirit:
"I am delighted to launch the 'Sure Skate' community ice skating project and to be playing such an integral part in bringing the first real ice rink to to the Isle of Man in time for Christmas.
"Skating is a great event for families as well as couples, and I have seen first hand from my 'Ice Party' show just how much enjoyment it brings to people."
His advice for beginners was "bend your knees - and wear protective clothing!"
Mike Stanton, Country Manager of Sure in the Isle of Man, added, "I for one cannot wait to get out on the ice and test my skills.
"I am delighted that Sure, once again, can give something back to the local community."
Pre-Book Your Skating Session
Keen skaters can book their session in advance online at www.sureskate.com - tickets for a one-hour session cost ?7 (or ?7.50 on the door) and are now available.
There will be nine hourly sessions per day, with the rink open from 9am until 8.40pm.
Tickets for the first session of each day will be available at the discounted rate of ?6 online (or ?6.50 on the door), to encourage early birds.
Sure customers will be rewarded for their loyalty with a 50% discount off the standard ticket price for selected 'Sure Skater' sessions (Monday 6.20pm-7.20pm; Wednesday 5-6pm; and Friday 1-2pm).
