This is when new ice rink Planet Ice Leeds will finally open its doors

Planet Ice Chief Operations Officer Heath Rhodes said the highly-awaited public ice rink at Elland Road would open its doors at 4pm on January 31, 2020.

The Leeds Chiefs Ice Hockey team will play their first home game at the rink on February 1, 2020.

The building will have a 56x26-metre ice pad, 2,000-capacity arena with 1,800 fixed spectator seats, bar and catering facilities.

The first floor bar area will open in April 2020.

Leeds does not have a permanent ice rink and the nearest one is the Bradford Ice Arena.

The project has suffered numerous setbacks and Mr Rhodes admitted it had been a "difficult project."

The rink next to Leeds United's ground was first proposed in 2012 and construction was originally set to begin in 2014.

Builders finally moved onto the site in early 2016, with owners the Ice Rink Company hoping that the attraction would be open under their Silver Lines branding by the end of that year.

National brand Planet Ice, who operate 13 other rinks across the country, later took over the project.

One of the project's major setbacks occurred in late 2017, when a winter storm blew down several wooden supports on the building site.

Planet Ice Chief Operations Officer Heath Rhodes said: "l am aware the Leeds community have been on a bit of a roller coaster ride waiting for the rink to open and we do appreciate their patience.

"I’d also like to extend our thanks to Leeds Council for their understanding of what has been a difficult project with many setbacks.

"We are now focused on opening the doors to a permanent ice rink in Leeds from January 31."

Planet Ice will be introducing new coaching staff for 'learn to skate' courses and there will be a birthday party team for birthday bookings.

Courses and parties can be booked online and from January 31 onwards, at the rink itself.

Telephone bookings can be made on 01133 979700, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.