FIFE Flyers make their long-awaited homecoming on Saturday night as Fife Ice Arena opens its doors to ice hockey fans for the first time since February's fire.
Rink staff are working long hours to ensure that the ice is ready for Flyers' big night as Whitley Warriors help re-open the old barn on what is sure to be an emotional night.
For Flyers' coach Todd Dutiaume, Saturday night can't come quick enough.
"We've been nomads for too long," he told SportsPress. ''The start to this season has reminded us how difficult last season was on the road. We're all very excited about playing in front of a home crowd again."
A new four-sided scoreboard hanging over centre ice will be the most notable change although most of the interior has also been repainted.
Flyers return home is, however, being overshadowed by the off-ice turmoil currently gripping the new Scottish Premier Hockey League.
A week before the season started Edinburgh Capitals made it known that they were only available to play each team once home and away.
Coupled with ice problems at Fife, Braehead and Dumfries the fixture lists were thrown into disarray and only this week have Flyers been handed a half-completed list.
Despite this, Edinburgh and Dundee Stars agreed to go ahead with their opening two SPHL fixtures as planned but it is now unclear whether these matches, both won by Edinburgh, counted for anything.
SPHL spokesman Charlie Ward said: "It's up in the air as to what the games stood for. It's an awkward situation but we're meeting this week to try to salvage something from it."
Dutiaume takes his side to Dundee Ice Arena on Sunday for Flyers' first SPHL match and the Canadian admitted that the off-ice situation has proved difficult to swallow.
"These things should be clarified before a season begins," he said. The first competitive clash between Dundee and Fife this Sunday will carry an extra edge after last weekend's challenge match ended 7-6 to Stars. Despite the chaotic on-off saga, Dutiaume was glad the game went ahead.
"It was better for us than a late night training session," he said. "We got a look at our strengths and weaknesses, as well as Dundee's, and we managed to get a bit of game legs before a big weekend of hockey."
