The
government has finally given the go ahead for the world's first indoor
winter sports resort to be built on a disused quarry in Suffolk.
[IMG]skiclub.co.uk/files/images/s/SnOasisaerial.jpg[/IMG]
How the centre will look once completed
Developer Onslow Suffolk will oversee the build at the quarry at Great
Blakenham which is expected to take 30 months. During the construction
phase, it's hoped that 3,500 jobs will be created and another 1,800
full-time equivalent jobs provided once completed.
Godfrey Spanner, Managing Director of Onslow Suffolk, the
developers of the scheme said, “At last we have final approval, after
eight years and costs running into many millions, we can move forward
and give our country something unique to be proud of. SnOasis will now
become a reality bringing with it countless opportunities for jobs, the
local and national economies, education, athletes and the winter sports
industry.”
He added, “we have been working hard behind the scenes with various
winter sports bodies to attract major competitions to SnOasis. We can
confidently say once complete it will host an ever growing number of
international events, leading to it becoming a regular venue on the
world winter sports circuit. These activities will undoubtedly bring
further benefits and kudos to our country.”
The
project was backed by the business sector, but faced opposition from
residents and environmental groups including Natural England who were
concerned about damage to the environment and congestion on local
roads.
Once completed, it will claim the titles of....
-Europe’s largest indoor ski slope
-The UK’s first Centre of Excellence for winter sport
-The UK’s first 400m Ice Speed Skating track
-The UK’s first 100m Bobsleigh push start
-14 winter sports in one location
-The UK’s first 1.5km dedicated Cross-Country Skiing Track
-The UK’s first Ice Museum
http://www.snoasis.co.uk
Damn, looks like it will be pretty sick when its done, might have to go down and visit it at some point after its opened. Looks like us Brits will get somewhere half decent to ski all year round now...