Dave Ryding Criticises Possible Loss of Dry Ski Slope
The slope in Lancashire opened in 1973 but is costly a council report said.
The report also said it is “constrained” in offering new attractions.
The council is reviewing all its leisure sites managed on its behalf by Rossendale Leisure Trust.
Running costs, loans and customer income are key factors for the council and trust, which use a mix of cash from the council, Sport England and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Dave Ryding started out in Pendle and went on to become the first British alpine skier to win a World Cup slalom race and he competed in 5 Olympic Games.
He retired last season.
Dave’s first experience of skiing came as a six-year-old on the plastic in Pendle, and he was a children’s British dry slope champion along with his sister, Jo.
British Dryslope Champions Dave & Jo Ryding. Family photo.
Ryding said if Rossendale Borough Council did decide to shut its doors, it would have a “huge impact” on the community of skiers that use it.
He said that the next generation could be deterred from getting into the sport and that it would be “short-sighted”.
Dave Ryding waving goodbye at the end of his last Olympics. Image © Sam Mellish/Team GB
“Whilst The Hill delivers genuine community benefit, its ability is constrained, external investment opportunities are limited and the financial case for the scale of spending needed does not stand-up against the income it can realistically generate,” said the report.
The report said the breadth of sites creates “real challenges” in generating enough income to cover costs, invest in facilities and manage the “inter-company loan”.
The report suggests the leisure trust should focus on gym, sport and physical activity sites, including Marl Pits Swimming Pool, and other future options should be explored for the ski slope.
It said the ski slope’s future was “the most complex” of three recommendations councillors are to consider.
See here for a full report on the BBC
It is not the only UK slope with an uncertain future.
The Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre in Matson is on the market for £625,000.
Eddie the Eagle, the first Briton to compete in Olympic ski jumping, began his training at the centre and said he hoped it could be kept open.
“I did hear it was up for sale a while ago and I was told there was a buyer involved but obviously that must have fallen through,” he said.
“It’s still going strong, I still miss it. I still go to Gloucester every once in a while. It was my home when I was a child.
“I have very fond memories of it and I hope somebody buys it and carries it on.”
See here for an earlier story on PlanetSKI:
Eddie the Eagle. Image © PlanetSKI
Councillors in Lancashire meet on May 6th to consider the report into The Hill Ski Centre at Rossendale and what its future may be.
The Hill Ski Centre – Home of Ski Rossendale.
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