The much-loved Alpine Snowsports Centre in Aldershot is set to re-open later this month with a new operator at the helm, Rushmoor Borough Council has announced.
Places Leisure, which currently operates and manages Aldershot Pools and Lido on behalf of the council, will be running the centre while the council explores long-term options for the facility.
The council were informed without warning on 2 April, that the company previously managing the centre, Active Nation UK Limited, had ceased trading at the site.
Since then, the council has been taking legal advice and assessing its options for the future operation of the facility.
Places Leisure has operated the council’s leisure facilities for over 20 years, and a temporary arrangement for management of the ski centre has been agreed that enables it to re-open imminently and also provides a period to consider more permanent arrangements.
The Places Leisure team is currently undertaking a full audit of the facility. Once complete, a date for the re-opening of the centre will be confirmed, along with information about future events and bookings.
The Alpine Snowsports Centre is a hugely popular local facility, attracting over 25,000 users every year. The centre offers three dry ski slopes for open sessions and lessons, as well as donutting parties and school holiday activities. As well as providing activities for all ages, it has also been a training venue for a number of high-level snow sports athletes who have started their careers there.
Rushmoor Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Healthy Communities and Active Lives, Councillor Sophie Porter, said: “We’re delighted that we have been able to come to an agreement with Places Leisure and thank them for stepping in. The ski centre is an important facility for local people which we don’t want to lose. It's been integral to the success of winning Special Olympic gold medals and it’s the first place many people learned to ski.
“One of our key priorities is to provide opportunities for exercise, wellbeing, and social connection that are easy to access and this now gives us some breathing space to secure the centre’s long-term future.”
Area Manager at Places Leisure, Dave Jolliffe, said, “We are very pleased to be able to support Rushmoor Borough Council in reopening Alpine Snowsports. Having operated the council’s leisure facilities for over 20 years, we have seen time and time again the positive impact they have on the local community.
“As an organisation, we are committed to improving people’s lives and the communities in which they live. We hope that the reopening of the centre will create more opportunities for people to become active and enjoy sports that are not always as easily accessible.”
Rushmoor Borough Council and Places Leisure are working closely to finalise details as soon as possible. Further information will be shared in due course, including details on opening dates and bookings.
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