MUSKEGON, Mich, - The West Michigan Blizzard of the AAHL, announced today that they are preparing to build a new arena for the 2010-11 AAHL season.  The announcement further solidifies the commitment by team owners Bill and Sandy Vitale to keep professional hockey in the Muskegon area.

Construction is planned for the interior of the Norton Pines Athletic Club in North Shores, Michigan with a seating capacity estimated at 2,500. The rink would include eight or nine rows of arena seats on all four sides of the ice. The second level of the arena will feature private boxes as well as a restaurant and a bar.

The ice surface will be a standard 85 feet by 200 feet, well within the 190 feet by 270 feet dimensions of the entire structure. The design will be similar to one that currently houses indoor tennis courts at the North Shores facility.

The Vitale's, who plan to finance the project at an approximate cost of $2 million, say they hope for completion of the arena sometime in early October. The start of the All American Hockey League season is set for the weekend of Oct. 22.

"This area (Muskegon Area) is somewhere we feel at home," Sandy Vitale said. "We want to keep Muskegon pro hockey alive and we feel our loyal fans want that too."

Current Blizzard head coach Sergei Kharin would be the facility's general manager.

"This project won't only open doors for our hockey club, but it will also be a way to grow minor hockey in the Muskegon area," Kharin said.

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