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This is Devon --
PLYMOUTH Raiders are mulling over the possibility of moving to Home Park to play on an ice rink.
They have held talks with Plymouth Argyle, which are still ongoing, and could hinge around chairman James Brent's plans to build the ice-rink at the Pilgrims' stadium.
The idea would be to create a detachable surface on top of the ice-rink on which BBL matches could be staged when the rink was not in use.
While the idea may sound unlikely to the man on the street, it is not a new one.
Raiders' BBL rivals Surrey Heat used an ice rink with a covering when they ventured into Europe in 2007/08.
A similar move in Plymouth would give Raiders far more seating capacity, which would be necessary should the club realise their long-held ambition of entering European competition.
Playing regulations on the continent state that there should be seating for at least 2,500 fans. The Raiders' present home, the Pavilions, has room for close to only 1,500.
Raiders chairman Bob Widdecombe said that the club had to turn away hundreds of fans on one occasion because there simply wasn't room for them.
Raiders fans can buy tickets at the door, but if they have been snapped up via the club's box office or by earlier arrivals, they will not be allowed into the match.
Widdecombe said the Pavilions was an excellent arena, but said: "It's got a capacity of 1,487 and we have been forced to turn fans away.
"For one game last season, we turned away 300 fans, which was a great shame and it's something we are looking at for the future."
Widdecombe said the club did not know what capacity the ice rink at Home Park would have yet, but added: "We've had a couple of meetings with James Brent and we need to discuss what the future is going to be – they've still got to build the ice rink.
"In an ideal world, we could do with an arena with a capacity of 2,000, because if we play in Europe, as we want to do, they're looking at a capacity of 2,000-2,500 fans."
Widdecombe said he wanted the club to become winners on the court, as well as famed for their entertainment during matches and organisation off it.
While Raiders have been a successful franchise since they joined the BBL in 2004/05, they have only landed one trophy.
He said: "We're probably one of the most progressive BBL clubs. We're on a par with (powerhouse) Newcastle and (present champions) Leicester in terms of organisation and better at entertainment than them.
"We have been consistently in the top half of the table and we have built the infrastructure and stability of the club.
"We don't want to be a yo-yo club where we win everything one year and then disappear."
Meanwhile, the University of St Mark and St John have voiced their disappointment at not continuing as Raiders' main sponsor.
Raiders announced a new three-year partnership with Plymouth University on Wednesday.
In a statement, Marjon said: "After supporting Plymouth Raiders for the last three years it is with some sadness that our tenure as the main sponsor has now come to an end.
"We will continue to work closely with Raiders to support their future success and the development of basketball in the city.
"The university has a strong reputation of working collaboratively in the field of sport and will continue to do so in the future for the benefit of Plymouth and the South West region.
"We wish Plymouth Raiders every success in the future." Reported by This is 10 hours ago.
Clik here to view.
This is Devon --PLYMOUTH Raiders are mulling over the possibility of moving to Home Park to play on an ice rink.
They have held talks with Plymouth Argyle, which are still ongoing, and could hinge around chairman James Brent's plans to build the ice-rink at the Pilgrims' stadium.
The idea would be to create a detachable surface on top of the ice-rink on which BBL matches could be staged when the rink was not in use.
While the idea may sound unlikely to the man on the street, it is not a new one.
Raiders' BBL rivals Surrey Heat used an ice rink with a covering when they ventured into Europe in 2007/08.
A similar move in Plymouth would give Raiders far more seating capacity, which would be necessary should the club realise their long-held ambition of entering European competition.
Playing regulations on the continent state that there should be seating for at least 2,500 fans. The Raiders' present home, the Pavilions, has room for close to only 1,500.
Raiders chairman Bob Widdecombe said that the club had to turn away hundreds of fans on one occasion because there simply wasn't room for them.
Raiders fans can buy tickets at the door, but if they have been snapped up via the club's box office or by earlier arrivals, they will not be allowed into the match.
Widdecombe said the Pavilions was an excellent arena, but said: "It's got a capacity of 1,487 and we have been forced to turn fans away.
"For one game last season, we turned away 300 fans, which was a great shame and it's something we are looking at for the future."
Widdecombe said the club did not know what capacity the ice rink at Home Park would have yet, but added: "We've had a couple of meetings with James Brent and we need to discuss what the future is going to be – they've still got to build the ice rink.
"In an ideal world, we could do with an arena with a capacity of 2,000, because if we play in Europe, as we want to do, they're looking at a capacity of 2,000-2,500 fans."
Widdecombe said he wanted the club to become winners on the court, as well as famed for their entertainment during matches and organisation off it.
While Raiders have been a successful franchise since they joined the BBL in 2004/05, they have only landed one trophy.
He said: "We're probably one of the most progressive BBL clubs. We're on a par with (powerhouse) Newcastle and (present champions) Leicester in terms of organisation and better at entertainment than them.
"We have been consistently in the top half of the table and we have built the infrastructure and stability of the club.
"We don't want to be a yo-yo club where we win everything one year and then disappear."
Meanwhile, the University of St Mark and St John have voiced their disappointment at not continuing as Raiders' main sponsor.
Raiders announced a new three-year partnership with Plymouth University on Wednesday.
In a statement, Marjon said: "After supporting Plymouth Raiders for the last three years it is with some sadness that our tenure as the main sponsor has now come to an end.
"We will continue to work closely with Raiders to support their future success and the development of basketball in the city.
"The university has a strong reputation of working collaboratively in the field of sport and will continue to do so in the future for the benefit of Plymouth and the South West region.
"We wish Plymouth Raiders every success in the future." Reported by This is 10 hours ago.