Following long awaited government final approval the UK is to get the world’s first indoor winter sports resort. Work will now commence on the 350 acre, £350 million, privately funded development, bringing enormous economic benefits to the local area and the country as a whole. As well as housing Europe’s largest indoor ski slope SnOasis has been specifically designed to become the country’s first centre of excellence for winter sports athletes. Fourteen different sports disciplines will be brought together and provided with training facilities to match, if not surpass, the best in the world. Also, as a truly unique all-encompassing tourist destination offering an extensive array of sports, leisure and entertainment activities, visitor numbers are projected to be in the region of 650,000 per year. This figure will include: day visitors, short stay holidaymakers, conference delegates and athletes using the Sports Academy.

During the construction phase, which will take 30 months, it is expected that 3,500 jobs will be created. When complete, a further 1,800 full-time equivalent jobs will be provided. These new employment opportunities will stimulate the local economy through spending in shops, increased demand for accommodation and the sourcing of supplies from businesses within the region. Nationally, the full impact of the economic benefits on the construction, manufacturing, tourist and winter sports industries will only be truly understood once the project is underway.

Deemed a ‘Super Site’ by the construction industry means this aspect alone will make it of international importance. Combining the size of the project with the fact that it will generate 75% of its energy from low carbon and renewable technologies puts it at the forefront of construction techniques, which no doubt, will be closely monitored by governments and developers from around the world.

Locally, a package of benefits costing £29 million will be put in place covering a wide range of projects including: improvements to the intersection of the A12 and A14 roads, a new main line Railway Station linking to London Liverpool Street, a 50 acre ecological mitigation area, cycle tracks, the planting of 130,000 trees, plus an array of skills and training initiatives. Also, working in conjunction with a number of education establishments plans are underway to develop programmes aimed at educating students at all levels in disciplines related to the project.

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.

“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.”

SnOasis will be:

The world’s first indoor winter sports resort
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

For more information go to www.snoasis.co.uk

The following elements are included within the SnOasis plan. However, as the project develops more may be added.

Winter Sports

Europe’s largest indoor Ski Slope, 415m long, 70m wide, with a 100m vertical drop to international standard. Capacity for 2,400 skiers per hour
Nursery Slope 100m long by 30m wide with 6-degree pitch
External Ice Rink 60m long by 30m wide with 1,500 spectator seats
400m Speed Skating track
100m Bobsleigh push start track
16m Ice Climbing Wall
1.5km Cross-Country Ski Run

General Sport

Multi purpose sports hall
Health and fitness centre
Triathlon course
Outdoor sports pitches
1.5km Rollerblading track
Swimming pool
10-Pin Bowling (20 lanes)
Tennis
Rowing
Windsurfing
Sailing
Canoeing
Fishing

Education, Entertainment and Accommodation

National Winter Sports Academy with 200-bed hostel
Medical room with first aid facilities
350 room four star hotel and conference centre, capacity for 1,000 delegates
350 self-catering holiday village style 2, 4, 6, bed ski lodges
100 one and two bedroomed apartments
Convenience store
Bank
Post Office
Nightclub
Fun ride based on a tobogganing/bobsleigh theme
17 bars and restaurants
“Try & Buy” sports retail
Saunas & Steam Rooms
Lifestyle retail
Exhibition facilities
Crèche
Skatepark
Entertainment Dome
Ice Museum
Country Club

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