A PASSIONATE group of ice skaters are stepping up their vision to provide the conurbation with a state-of-the-art ice rink.

The Dorset Ice & Leisure company is working on multi-million pound plans to establish a permanent indoor multi-use ice sports facility.

While the privately funded project is still in a developmental stage, directors hope to deliver a smaller permanent ice rink as early as this winter.

The group have spent 18 months researching their proposals to consider the feasibility of the overall scheme.

Together directors Simon Tattersall, Ondrej Zlamal, Tomas Masek, John Richardson and Frankie Hillman aim to provide a facility for ice athletes of all levels and abilities.

"We want to create a vibrant social hub," Mr Tattersall said. "We all had it when we were growing up. It will provide a place to meet people.

"There are the temporary rinks in Bournemouth and a wide of sporting offering in the area already. We want to work with them and support what they do."

The group hope to deliver the smaller rink to show their vision to the public and highlight the success a permanent facility can have.

From there, with sufficient investment, they plan to deliver the main project of a 30m by 60m ice pad, which could be used for various ice sports, alongside other sports and leisure facilities.

The project will use industry leading technology and the directors said they place an importance on ensuring the facility is environmentally friendly.

Many of the directors play ice hockey together on a weekly basis in Gosport, while Mr Masek was recently selected for the Solent Devils ice hockey squad.

"Ice hockey is becoming more popular in the UK," Mr Masek said.

"We want to be able to support that and provide as many people as possible with the opportunity to get out on the ice."

Mr Zlamal added: "We are very passionate about making this happen and we want to provide a place for future generations to be able to get involved. "It needs to be affordable for people to use as we really want this to be available to the whole community." Details on potential sites are yet to be finalised, although the group are hoping to progress plans for the smaller rink in the coming months.

Mr Tattersall said he recalls the popularity of the ice rink in Westover Road, which closed in 1991. "We would like to have the smaller rink in place this winter," he added.

"There is definitely a lot of work to be done, but we are determined to get permanent ice down."

To find out more about the project, including a questionnaire and petition, go to www.dorseticeandleisure.com.