Snowsport for Sheffield!
Community Group determined to bring the UK’s premier winter sport facilities back to former glory!
The shame of Sheffield’s ski village being left to slide into a sorry state has already gained national media attention. At a time when Team GB celebrates winning its first ever Olympic medal on the snow at Sochi, the former training home for many of the freestyle snowsport athletes lies in ruins.
This is why community group ‘Snowsport for Sheffield’ have started early discussions with a range of investors, designers and funding authorities to rebuild on the previous successes of Sheffield Ski Village and inspire the next generation of skiers and snowboarders.
Snowsport for Sheffield have ambitious plans to develop a new world class facility which would be home to a comprehensive range of snowsport activities. The overall aim is to firmly put Sheffield back on the map as a centre of snowsport excellence.
At the heart of the groups passion lies the knowledge that freestyle stars such as James Woods, James Machon, and Katie Summerhayes for Team GB had invaluable access to the Sheffield Ski Village during their formative years.
They progressed from the nursery slopes and with hard work forged inside this supportive infrastructure became Olympic athletes. The Ski Village, which has remained closed for over a year, has fallen victim to arson attacks. The owner of the 16.5
acre site has now applied for planning permission to build 70 houses on it. Snowsport believe that a site with such a strong sporting history should be re-invested in and brought back to life.
As Paul Yiend committee member for Snowsport Sheffield puts it, “Head coach of Team GB’s Freeski team Pat Sharples has recently stated how athletes’ freestyle Olympic success was down to the Sheffield Ski Village. UK centres in general are suffering from serious underinvestment, deterioration and lack of innovative planning. We envisage creating a world class facility that will nurture talent and provide access to future Olympic winter sports champions.”
An online petition organised by Snowsport for Sheffield has already gathered nearly 4000 signatures in less than a month and a community launch meeting has been arranged for 10.30am, Wednesday 26th March at the Forum Bar in Sheffield, S3 7SB. All interested members of the public and press are welcome to attend.
Snowsport for Sheffield are a group of like minded individuals who are passionate about building upon the success and medals won at the Sochi Olympics and giving people from across the UK the opportunity to try winter sports for the first time.
With our background, experience and contacts within the winter sports industry we can realise this vision. We do however face an immense task to bring a world class sporting facility like the Ski Village back to Sheffield. We are calling on anyone passionate about winter sports, or people who have ever spent any time at the Ski Village and want to contribute, to come forward with any contacts, funding sources, knowledge or experience.
For more details please contact:
Alan Bister
Committee Chair
Tel: 07590 470703
email: [email protected]
People can sign the petition to reinstate Sheffield’s Ski Village here below:
To date we have received 3,871 signatures from the general public. This total was reached during the period of 26th February 2014 - 19th March 2014.
Other contact details:
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