Oldest Dry Ski Slope in Wales Saved By Council Funding Injection
Oldest Dry Ski Slope in Wales Saved By Council Funding Injection
Published : 25-Jul-2024 07:36
The charitable trust which operates the oldest ski slope in Wales, among other sports and leisure attractions, has been saved by a £1.3m bail out by the local council.
Pontypool Ski Centre was established in 1974 and is celebrating its 50th birthday this year.
Torfaen Leisure Trust was established as a stand-alone charitable body by Torfaen Council in 2013 to run its leisure service and, prior to the pandemic, had been reducing an annual subsidy it received from the council of around £1.3m by 5% each year, according to local media reports. Since the pandemic however the Trust had been struggling with increasing losses and councillors were advised it was in danger of being forced to cease operations without the additional bail out money.
Pontypool boasts a 230 metre main slope, one of the UK's longest, a novice/beginners area, a Poma ski lift, sprinkler system and mogul run.
In addition to open skiing times, the centre runs its own ski school which offers instruction for all standards of skiing and snowboarding from 'novice to expert'.
During debate before awarding the extra funds some councillors argued that the Trust's operations should be taken back under council control then put back out to tender however an independent survey of the Trust's operations found the shortfall was caused by inflationary pressures on operating costs.
Prior to the Trust's establishment Pontypool dry ski slope had struggled financially and was shut down in summer 2011 to save on operating costs as the council made £9.2m in cuts in the aftermath of the worldwide financial crash.
The slope was also in the news for being damaged in an arson attach in summer 2022.
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